Highly stable Co3O4 nanoparticles-assembled microrods derived from MOF for efficient total propane oxidation

Co3O4 nanoparticles-assembled microrods (Mic-Co3O4) were successfully synthesized with the precursor of Co-BTC (BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) and applied for efficient propane (C3H8) oxidation. It shows a higher reaction rate of 4.14 μmolC3H8 gcat−1 s−1 at 250 °C, when it is only 1.18 μmolC3H8 gcat−1 s−1 obtained over Co3O4 nanoparticles (Np-Co3O4) via direct calcination of cobalt nitrate. Moreover, Mic-Co3O4 remains the original morphology of Co-BTC MOF, and the keeping pores enhance the microrod rigidity, hindering nanoparticles growth and thus resulting in superior thermal stability. After 12 h of durability test at 500 °C, the size of Mic-Co3O4 nanoparticles increases slightly from 62 to 70 nm, whereas it is from 97 to 130 nm for Np-Co3O4. Meanwhile, the calcination of Co-BTC precursor can induce large amounts of surface Co2+, favoring activation of adsorptive oxygen species. This can promote oxygen mobility, which is helpful for total propane oxidation.