Catalytic combustion of toluene over mixed Cu–Mn oxides

The influence of the synthesis pH and of the Zn and/or Al additives on the Cu–Mn precursors, obtained by co-precipitation at a constant pH from aqueous solutions of appropriate nitrates at (Cu + Zn)/(Mn + Al) ratio equal 2, was investigated. The relative content of Mn increased with the pH of precipitation. Depending on the sample composition the identified crystalline phases included layered hydroxy double salt, hydrotalcite-like structure, CuO and ZnO. Some precursors had strongly amorphous character. Calcination of the precursors at 673 K resulted in mixed oxides, in which CuO of various degrees of crystallinity could be identified. The Mn-containing phases remained amorphous. All calcined materials proved extremely active in catalytic combustion of toluene. Some catalysts reached 100% conversion already at 403 K. High conversions observed in the low temperature regime were partially due to the strong sorption of toluene. In the catalysts containing Al additive this effect was suppressed.