Design of hybrid La1-Ce CoO3- catalysts for lean methane combustion via creating active Co and Ce species

The catalytic activity of perovskite-typed catalysts depends on both the surface properties and bulk structure. Herein, we report a facile strategy to induce surface reconstruction and lattice distortion of the La1-xCexCoO3-δ catalysts via acid-etching pretreatment, ultimately realizing superior performance for catalytic combustion of lean methane, even in the presence of steam and hydrogen sulfide. The exsolution of small Ce and Co oxides (ca. 5 nm) from the perovskite were found on the surface of the La1-xCexCoO3-δ catalysts to form a hybrid structure after the acid-etching, which interact with the perovskite bulk to create more Co3+ and surface absorbed oxygen as active sites for methane combustion. It is also found that Ce species can be embedded in the crystal lattice and decorated on the surface of the catalysts after the acid-etching, which may enhance the formation of surface absorbed oxygen and the redox ability of Co3+/Co2+ pair. This results in high catalytic activity (T90 = 486 ℃) with a space velocity of 30,000 mL·g−1·h−1. Otherwise, the weak ability of hydroxyl species adsorbed on the surface of acid-etched catalysts restrain further adsorption of water molecules, improving the stability of methane combustion in the presence of water vapour. The increase in CeO2 content on the surface due to acid etching also contributes to the catalyst's resistance to sulfur poisoning. The present work may provide a new strategy for the synthesis of hybrid perovskite catalysts with excellent catalytic performance, stability and resistance to impurities poisoning.