Catalytic properties and surface states of La1−x (Th,Sr) x CoO3

The surface chemical states of the perovskite-type thorium- or strontium-doped lanthanum cobalt oxides (La_1–x Th _x CoO₃, La_1–x Sr _x CoO₃) have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Catalytic oxidations of CO have been also investigated by flow methods. The ionicity between cobalt and lattice oxygen was increased by substituting thorium for lanthanum, and had a peak atx = 0.02. The catalytic activity also had a peak atx = 0.02. However, the ionicity decreased for the case of strontium substitution, and the activity also decreased.