Redox effects in Cu, Co or Fe in oxides nanocrystals with high catalytic activity for the acetonitrile combustion

The cobalt, copper and iron oxides were investigated in selective catalytic combustion (SCC) of acetonitrile toward N2 in gas phase. Catalysts were characterized by physical–chemical technics like XRD, H2-TPR, DRS UV–Vis, whose confirmed crystalline phases of CuO, Co3O4 and Fe2O3. Thermodynamic stability of crystalline phase from metal oxides ruled important contributions in redox properties and become able to compare clearly the catalytic activity of the three catalyst. Relationship between H2-TPR analysis and catalytic results obtained showed great relevance to understand how metal oxide works on reaction, who were related to easy redox process involved. SCC studies were carried out with range of 100–600 °C and Co3O4 showed best activity (100% conversion at 570 °C) and high selectivities to N2 and CO2 starting in lower temperature. Byproducts from nitrogen-compounds were observed in low quantities for all catalysts.