Synthesis and characterization of Co-containing SBA-15 catalysts

Two Co-SBA-15 catalysts were synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, porosity, UV–visible diffuse reflectance and temperature programmed reduction with H₂. The first catalyst was prepared synthesizing SBA-15 and then adding Co ions by impregnation (Co_imprSBA-15). The second catalyst was prepared using a more complex procedure of immobilization of cobalt ions in the presence of pyridine and H₂O₂ on –COOH groups anchored to the SBA-15 structure [Co-SBA-15(COOH)]. These COOH groups were created starting from cyano groups introduced during the synthesis of the periodic mesoporous materials as 4-triethoxysilylbutyronitrile. Characterization of the samples indicates that in both cases the typical 2D periodical hexagonal structure of SBA-15 was obtained, but with less ordered packing in the second case. The cobalt is highly dispersed in the SBA-15 (up to 9% w/w) and is present mainly as Co²⁺ ions in highly distorted tetrahedral or square pyramidal coordination. Some coordinatively unsaturated Co(II) Lewis acid centers are present in Co_imprSBA-15, while in Co-SBA-15(COOH) coordination of pyridine to cobalt tentatively may induce the formation of Co³⁺ ions, although in both catalysts the dominant species are Co²⁺ ions in a very close environment.     

Synthesis,phase composition and characterization of Co-diopside ceramic pigments

Ceramic pigments in the system CaO – CoO – MgO – 2SiO₂ were synthesized through solid-state high temperature sintering at 1000, 1100 and 1200 °C. The starting compositions were determined from the stoichiometric mineral diopside, following the expression CaO.xCoO.(1-x)MgO·2SiO₂, where x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9. The effect of sintering temperature and initial cobalt concentration on the phase composition and colour were studied by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible - (UV–Vis) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Poly-phase ceramics were obtained depending on synthesis parameters, which in addition to Co-diopside, may contain wollastonite, Co-åckermanite – Ca₂(Co, Mg)Si₂O₇, Co-olivine – CoMgSiO₄, Co-monticellite – Ca(Mg, Co) SiO₄, and cristobalite. Quantitative ratios of detected mineral phases and the degree of cobalt isomorphic substitution were determined by applying Rietveld refinement approach. Trends and consistencies were outlined revealing that concentration of cobalt in the initial synthesis batch and its isomorphous incorporation in the crystal structure of diopside affect the structural perfection of the cation polyhedra. This fact obviously plays a key role in controlling the amount of the main constituent phase in the run-product. Ceramics of highest diopside content and lowest measured degree of structural distortion were only formed at 1200 °C and initial cobalt concentration in the range x = 0.2–0.3. These samples are pink in colour and have the highest value of red coordinate in the CIELab system due to Co²⁺ ions in octahedral coordination in diopside structure.     

Synthesis of red mud derived M-type barium hexaferrites with tuneable coercivity

Hexagonal ferrites can be employed in a multitude of applications, the most common hexaferrites are the M ferrites such as BaFe₁₂O₁₉ (barium hexaferrite, BaM). It is known that if Fe³⁺ is substituted with a combination of Ti⁴⁺/Co²⁺ the coercivity of BaM can be reduced to produce soft M ferrites with easily switchable magnetisation. They can be utilised as powders, films or bulk ceramics, and can be manufactured from a wide variety of synthesis methods. The production of hexaferrites usually requires commercial raw materials, but if an industrial waste can be utilised, this will help to ease waste disposal and storage costs, valorise a waste material and encourage circular economy. In this study, bauxite residue (red mud) from the production of alumina was used to synthesise M-type hexaferrites, using a simple ceramic process. BaCO₃, or BaCO₃+Co₃O₄, were added to the red mud, blended and heated at 1000 °C to produce the M-type hexaferrites. Without cobalt addition up to 81.1 wt% M ferrite was produced, and with Co addition up to 74.3 wt% M ferrite was formed. Without cobalt, the M ferrite phase closely resembled BaFe₉Al₃O₁₉, and was a hard ferrite with a magnetisation of 12–19 A m²/kg for the whole powder (up to 23.6 A m²/kg for the M ferrite phase) and a coercivity of ~290 kA/m. When cobalt was added, secondary titanate phases vanished, and Ti⁴⁺/Co²⁺ partially substituted very soft M ferrite was formed with a low coercivity of ~16 kA/m but a higher magnetisation of 24.5 A m²/kg for the whole powder (up to 34.9 A m²/kg for the M ferrite phase). Therefore, not only can good quality magnetic materials be easily produced from this common waste material, but its magnetic properties can be tuned by varying the 2 + ions added during the process.     

Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by C3H6 over Co/Al2O3 Catalyst with Extremely Low Cobalt Loading

In order to reveal the optimum Co loading, the selective catalytic reduction of NO with C₃H₆ over Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst was studied in a systematic fashion by varying the amount of cobalt oxide. It was found that upon loading a small amount of cobalt oxide (namely 0.5 wt% on a Co metal basis), the combination between Co(II) acetate salt and a high-purity alumina provided an active catalyst in the presence of excess oxygen and water. TPR measurement showed the presence of Co species other than CoAl₂O₄ spinel in the most excellent performance catalyst, from which the active sites should be produced.     

Process for the Recovery of Cobalt and Nickel from Sulphate Leach Liquors with Saponified Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA

Abstract

In this paper, a process is reported for the recovery of cobalt and nickel from copper raffinate solutions using partially saponified Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA as the extractants. The aqueous feed contains 1.65 g/L cobalt and 16.42 g/L nickel. More than 99.9% cobalt separation was achieved with 0.13 M Cyanex 272 (60% neutralized with alkali) in two counter‐current stages at an aqueous to organic phase ratio of 1.1:1. Co‐extraction of nickel was 0.18% only. Stripping of cobalt from a loaded organic phase was carried out with synthetic spent electrolyte solution at an organic to aqueous phase ratio of 2.5 in two counter‐current stages to generate a pregnant electrolyte solution to produce cobalt metal by electrowinning. Similarly, optimum conditions for nickel extraction with 60% neutralized 1 M D2EHPA at O/A ratio of 1.4 in 2 two stages and stripping of metal with synthetic spent electrolyte at O/A ratio of 1.6 in two stages were standardized. Extraction and stripping efficiencies were >99% and the flowsheet of the process is demonstrated.     

Adsorption behavior of NO and CO and their reaction over cobalt on zeolite beta

Adsorption behavior of NO and CO as well as their reaction was investigated on cobalt supported zeolite beta (Co/BEA) prepared by solid-state ion exchange (SSIE) and by impregnation (IMP). By temperature programmed desorption (TPD), two NO desorption peaks at 100 and 260‡C were observed over both SSIE and IMP catalysts with complete desorption after 450‡C. CO desorbed from SSIE catalyst between 50 and 200‡C. In the same temperature interval negligible CO₂ desorption was observed, most likely due to reaction of CO with trace of cobalt oxides. Over IMP catalysts, desorption of CO₂ was found mainly at 500‡C. By comparing CO TPD profiles from physical mixtures of cobalt oxides and HBEA, SSIE catalysts most likely contained cobalt cations in zeolite exchange position while IMP catalysts had cobalt in oxidic forms. The SSIE catalysts were active for NO reduction at 400 and 500‡C with a maximum conversion at 500‡C. However, the activity in the presence of water and oxygen was low. Water might inhibit the reaction by blocking active sites for NO and CO, while oxygen reacted with CO to form carbon dioxide. The activity of SSIE was better than IMP catalyst.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of thin layers of Zn–Co alloys obtained from glycinate baths

An alkaline bath containing CoSO₄ · 7H₂O, ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O, Na₂SO₄ and NH₂CH₂COOH is proposed for the deposition of thin layers of Zn–Co alloys onto steel substrates. Electrodeposition was carried out at 0.216–1.080 A dm^–2, pH 10 and 10–55 °C. The influence of bath composition, current density and temperature on galvanostatic cathodic polarization, cathodic current efficiency and alloy composition was studied. Different proportions of the two metals were obtained by using different deposition parameters, but at all Zn(II)/Co(II) ratios studied, preferential deposition of zinc occurred and anomalous codeposition took place. Increasing the bath temperature enhanced the cobalt content in the deposit. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that the phase structure of the deposits was controlled by the applied current density. The Co₅Zn₂₁ phase was formed at low current density, while the CoZn₁₃ phase was formed at high current density. The potentiodynamic dissolution of the coatings showed that they contained Zn–Co alloy of different content and structure.     

Unusually High Selectivity to C2+ Alcohols on Bimetallic CoFe Catalysts During CO Hydrogenation

Silica-supported cobalt and iron catalysts (10% Co and 5% or 1% Fe) were prepared and tested in a flow reactor in the hydrogenation of CO, using H₂/CO = 2:1 (molar) ratio in the feed, an overall pressure of 20 bar, and temperatures of 493, 513 and 533 K. Activity and product distribution were found to depend strongly on the composition of the catalysts. Thus, the Fe-free catalyst was selective toward C₅₊ formation (67% selectivity to C₅₊) and a low methanation rate, while the Co-free counterpart was less selective toward C₅₊, with a simultaneous increase in the formation of lighter fractions and alcohols. The behavior of the bimetallic CoFe catalysts was different. In the bimetallic CoFe10/5-c catalyst, selectivity to alcohols increased with respect to the monometallic Co10-c, and this was moderately high (15% to C₃₊ OH alcohols). In the bimetallic CoFe10/1-c sample, selectivity to alcohols was fairly high (29%), and ethanol reached the highest proportion (17%) among the alcohols. Surface and structural information concerning the activated catalysts, derived from X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, Mössbauer, and photoelectron spectroscopy, revealed the appearance of a CoFe phase under the conditions employed during the catalyst activation. In the bimetallic cobalt–iron catalysts, this CoFe phase is suggested to be responsible for the rather high selectivity toward alcohol formation.     

Dissolution from electrodeposited copper–cobalt–copper sandwiches

The electrochemical behaviour of electrodeposited Co–Cu/Cu multilayers from citrate electrolytes was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and stripping techniques at a rotating ring disc electrode. Copper and cobalt–copper alloy sandwiches were deposited from an electrolyte containing 0.0125 M CuSO₄, 0.250 M CoSO₄ and 0.265 M trisodium citrate at two different pHs, 1.7 and 6.0. The Cu/Co–Cu/Cu sandwich is representative of a single layer in a Co–Cu/Cu multilayer deposit, which is known to exhibit unusual physical and magnetic properties. Results from cyclic voltammetry and detection of dissolving species at the ring showed that cobalt is stripped from a Cu/Co–Cu/Cu sandwich even when a copper layer as thick as 600 nm covers the Co–Cu alloy. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cobalt can dissolve from the deposit easily because the copper layer covering the Co–Cu alloy is porous. A separate series of experiments with Cu/Co–Ni–Cu/Cu sandwich showed that cobalt does not dissolve from these deposits because the addition of nickel stabilises cobalt in the Co–Ni–Cu alloy.     

Selective Oxidation of Diphenylmethane Over Cobalt Doped Mesoporous Titania–Silica Catalyst with High Ti Content

Cobalt doped mesoporous titania–silica with Ti/Si molar ratio of 0.5 (Co–TiO₂–SiO₂) was synthesized for the oxidation of diphenylmethane in acetic acid using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant for the first time. Fast hot catalyst filtration experiment proved that the catalyst acted as a heterogeneous one. Recycling of the catalyst indicates that the catalyst can be used a number of times without losing its activity to a greater extent. The effects of reaction time and reaction temperature on the performance of the catalyst were investigated. Moreover, cobalt doped mesoporous titania with a crystalline structure and cobalt doped mesoporous titania–silica with different molar ratio were also studied. It was found that Co–TiO₂–SiO₂ with Ti/Si molar ratio of 0.5 showed the highest activity.     

Effect of promotion with ruthenium on the structure and catalytic performance of mesoporous silica (smaller and larger pore) supported cobalt Fischer–Tropsch catalysts

The effects of promotion with ruthenium on the structure of cobalt catalysts and their performance in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis were studied using MCM-41 and SBA-15 as catalytic supports. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, H₂-temperature programmed reduction, in situ magnetic measurements, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that monometallic cobalt catalysts supported by smaller pore mesoporous silicas (d_p = 3–4 nm) had much lower activity in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis than their larger pore counterparts (d_p = 5–6 nm). Promotion with ruthenium of smaller pore cobalt catalysts led to a considerable increase in Fischer–Tropsch reaction rate, while the effect of the promotion with ruthenium was less significant with the catalysts supported by larger pore silicas.Characterizations of smaller pore cobalt catalysts revealed strong impact of ruthenium promotion on the repartition of cobalt between reducible Co₃O₄ phase and barely reducible amorphous cobalt silicate in the calcined catalyst precursors. Smaller pore monometallic cobalt catalysts showed high fraction of barely reducible cobalt silicate. Promotion with ruthenium led to a significant increase in the fraction of reducible Co₃O₄ and in decrease in the amount of cobalt silicate. In both calcined monometallic and Ru-promoted cobalt catalysts supported by larger pore silicas, easy reducible Co₃O₄ was the dominant phase. Promotion with ruthenium of larger pore catalysts had smaller influence on cobalt dispersion, fraction of reducible cobalt phases and thus on catalytic performance.     

Non-oxidative methane transformations into higher hydrocarbons over bimetallic Pt–Co catalysts supported on Al2O3 and NaY

The methane conversion under non-oxidative conditions over Al₂O₃ and NaY supported cobalt, platinum and Pt–Co bimetallic catalysts in a flow system has been investigated. The two-step process was applied in the temperature range between 523 and 673 K and 1 bar pressure and the one-step process was carried out under the conditions of 1073 K and 10 bar pressure. Addition of platinum to NaY and alumina supported cobalt samples results in the formation of metallic Co particles and Pt–Co bimetallic particles. On bimetallic catalysts in the two-step process, the amount of C₂₊ products formed were higher than that on mono-metallic samples. The synergism shown by the bimetallic system can be explained by: (i) enhanced reducibility of cobalt, and (ii) the co-operation of two types of active components (Co facilitates the chain-growth of partially dehydrogenated species produced on Pt in Pt–Co bimetallic particles). The use of higher pressures and high temperature makes it possible to run the process to form primarily ethane (and ethylene) which is predicted from thermodynamic calculations. For NaY as support, significantly enhanced activity and C₂₊ selectivity are obtained compared with Al₂O₃ as support, which can be attributed to the structural differences of metal particles (location, dispersion and reducibility).     

Hydrodesulfurization of tetrahydrothiophene over evaporated Mo, Co and Mo–Co model catalysts

The hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of tetrahydrothiophene was studied over model catalysts prepared by deposition of Co and Mo thin films on a stainless‐steel foil covered with graphite. There are three main findings: (1) the nominal turnover rate for the HDS reaction is approximately constant and independent of the Co to Mo ratio, (2) the main product was 1,3‐butadiene for cobalt and 1,3‐butadiene and 1‐butene for molybdenum, and (3) the reaction is not poisoned by sulfur. The surfaces were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) before and after reaction. The reactions were carried out under 2.6 kPa of tetrahydrothiophene and 100 kPa of H₂ at 613 K. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Strontium carbonate supported cobalt catalyst for dry reforming of methane under pressure

Catalytic performance of Co–SrO catalyst for dry reforming of methane was investigated at 1 MPa, 1023 K. The catalyst prepared by oxalate co-precipitation method or citric acid method showed a steady activity for dry reforming of methane under pressure. The importance and stability of cobalt metal with strontium carbonate were suggested for the Co–SrO catalyst, and thus it should be denoted as Co–SrCO₃. In addition, cobalt supported on strontium carbonate prepared by impregnation method (Co/SrCO₃) showed the comparable activity with high tolerance to oxidative atmosphere under reaction conditions.     

Mechanical properties of low-pressure sintered WC-6Co cemented carbide doped with graphene oxide/alumina composite particles

The mechanical properties of WC-6Co cemented carbides with different contents of graphene oxide (GO)/nanoalumina (Al₂O₃) composite particles were investigated. The results showed that some of the GO/Al₂O₃ composite particles were tightly wrapped in WC grains through boundary deformation, but some of them existed in the cobalt phase, which gradually decreased the cobalt phase lattice constant and caused different degrees of grain refinement. When the content was 0.05 wt%, the cobalt phase dissolved more W; thus, the solid solution strengthening effect was improved. In addition, the superior dispersion of the composite particles aided in particle refinement. The relative alloy density increased as the GO/Al₂O₃ composite particle content increased. The mechanical properties first increased and then decreased with increasing additive amounts. When the content was 0.05 wt%, the alloy had the best performance. The hardness was 2021 HV₃₀, the strength was 2480.4 MPa, and the toughness was 11.5 MPa?m^1/2.     

Structure and catalytic properties of Co/ porcelain in the synthesis of 2,3‐dihydrofuran

The cyclodehydration of 1,4‐butanediol over cobalt catalysts in the liquid phase is used for the production of 2,3‐dihydrofuran. The catalyst preparation parameters considered were the metal loading, precipitation pH and reduction temperature of cobalt salt. It was found that the use of Co(NO₃)₂ together with Na₂CO₃ in a 1:1 ratio yielded better catalysts. Under the conditions used in this study the optimum cobalt loading for the selective production of 2,3‐dihydrofuran is in the range 15–50 wt%. The optimum reduction temperature of Co/porcelain catalyst depends on cobalt loading. The optimum reduction temperatures for 15 and 50 wt% cobalt loading are 773 and 723 K (reduction time 20 min), respectively. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ionic Liquids as Size‐ and Shape‐Regulating Solvents for the Synthesis of Cobalt Nanoparticles

Over the last few years, ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as an important class of reaction media for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The formation and stabilization of nanoparticles was investigated in different ILs to elucidate the effect of the chemical nature of the IL anion, cation and alkyl side chain of the imidazolium. In this context, Co₂(CO)₈ was employed as a precursor and thermally decomposed to the metallic cobalt nanoparticles in a series of selected ILs, where either the IL cation or anion was varied while keeping all of the other parameters constant. The results show that both the molecular volume of the anion and cation and the steric configuration are important aspects to control the formation and stability of nanoparticles in ILs.     

Physico-Chemical Properties of Cobalt–Ruthenium (10% Co–0.5% Ru) Catalysts Supported on Binary Oxides 8.5%ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Support (SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>, TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

The promotion of Fischer-Tropsch catalysts 10%Co/Al₂O₃, 10%Co/SiO₂, 10%Co/TiO₂ by 0.5% Ru and the modification of supports by 8.5 wt% ZrO₂ have been studied. The following properties: catalyst specific surface area as well as reducibility and dispersion of metallic phase were studied by different techniques: BET, TPR, and H₂ chemisorption. The modification of supports by non-reducible ZrO₂, results in a decrease of cobalt oxide reduction on Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ but not on SiO₂ supports. Additionally the enhancement of cobalt dispersion was found for all catalysts with ZrO₂ modified supports. The impact of Ru promotion is likely due to the stabilization of applied supports, prevention or blockage of interaction between surface Co species and support and an increase in cobalt oxide reducibility to the catalytically active metallic cobalt phase.     

Electrochemical recycling of cobalt from spent cathodes of lithium–ion batteries: its application as coating on SOFC interconnects

In this work the metallic cobalt was electrodeposited on 430 steel in order to obtain a low electrical resistance film made to Co₃O₄. Pure cobalt was obtained by acidic dissolution of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) present in exhausted Li-ion battery cathode. The electrodeposition was performed with a 96% efficiency at a potential of 1.50 V versus Ag/AgCl. The electrodeposited cobalt showed the face-centered cubic (23%) and hexagonal centered (77%) phases. After oxidation at 850 °C for 1000 h in air, the cobalt layer was transformed into the Co₃O₄ phase. On the other hand, a sample without cobalt showed the usual Cr₂O₃ and FeCr₂O₄ phases. After 1000 h at 850 °C, in air the area specific resistance of the sample with the cobalt oxide layer was 0.038 Ω cm⁻², while it was 1.30 Ω cm⁻² for the bare sample.     

Thermoregulated phase-transfer cobalt catalyst for production of linear higher alcohols from C11–12 internal olefins in aqueous/organic biphasic system

The thermoregulated phase-transfer cobalt catalyst, composed of a polyethylene glycol tailed phosphine ligand and cobalt carbonyl, has been applied for the conversion of normal C_11–12 internal olefins into linear higher alcohols via hydroformylation and hydrogenation in an aqueous/organic biphasic system. Good catalyst activity (TOF = 2.2 h^− 1) in this biphasic system was obtained which was as high as that in the homogeneous system where a cobalt catalyst was modified by a lipophilic phosphine ligand. Easy catalyst recovery has been done by phase decanting, and the aqueous phase with the cobalt catalyst was used directly in recycling. In 4 times of recycling tests, the yield of alcohols decreased slightly, the leaching of cobalt into the organic phase was less than 2.7% each time and a total catalyst TON of around 150 was obtained.