Nickel-modified cobalt phosphate: physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the total oxidation of...

Nickel-incorporated cobalt phosphate (Ni-CoP) catalysts were synthesized via co-precipitation and impregnation to explore the correlation between their structural properties and catalytic performance in ethanol oxidation. Advanced characterization (XRD, BET, DRIFTS, FESEM/EDX, XPS, H₂-TPR, NH₃-TPD, CO₂-TPD) confirmed that incorporation of 10 wt% Ni decreased crystallite size and acidity, increased basicity, and facilitated redox activity through the formation of a NiCoP₄O₁₂ mixed phase. These physicochemical changes enabled complete ethanol conversion at 310 °C with a CO₂ selectivity of 96%, outperforming undoped CoP, which achieved complete conversion at 328 °C. The Ni-CoP catalyst also maintained high activity and selectivity across multiple reaction cycles, exhibiting a modest shift in light-off temperature. These findings underscore the critical role of acid-base surface modification and synergistic metal-phosphate interactions in the development of cost-effective and stable catalysts for VOC abatement.