Structures of Silica-Supported Co Catalysts Prepared Using Microemulsion and Their Catalytic Performance for the Formation of Carbon Nanotubes through the Decomposition of Methane and Ethylene

Abstract

Silica-supported Co catalysts were prepared by using microemulsion. The structure and state of the Co species in the catalysts were characterized by TEM, XRD, Co K-edge XANES/EXAFS, and diffuse reflectance UV−vis spectroscopy. Co species in the catalysts prepared using microemulsion were atomically dispersed as Co2+ with tetrahedral symmetry (CoO4), even after reduction of the catalysts with hydrogen at 773 K, while Co metal particles were supported on the silica surface for the catalysts prepared by a conventional impregnation method. The Co catalysts prepared using microemulsion selectively formed multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a uniform diameter by the decomposition of ethylene at 973 K, whereas silica-supported Co catalysts prepared by the impregnation method formed carbon nanofibers with various diameters. In addition, the Co catalysts prepared using microemulsion formed bundles of single- or double-walled carbon nanotubes by methane decomposition at 1073 K. Contact of the Co catalysts with hydro...