Bowtie-Shaped NiCo2O4 Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methane Combustion

Bowtie-shaped NiCo2O4 nanostructures are prepared using a hydrothermal method. Variation of the synthesis parameters, including reaction time, additives, and calcination temperature, allows an understanding of the origin of the bowtie-shaped structure to be developed. Methane oxidation experiments performed using temperature-programed oxidation (TPO) show that the new materials, which do not contain precious metals, have excellent activity for low-temperature methane combustion, with 100% conversion at approximate to 410 degrees C (gas hourly space velocity (GHSV): 90 000 mL (STP) g(-1) h(-1)). The structure-activity relationships of the bowtie-shaped nanostructures are explored.