Nanostructured Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Oxide for Low Temperature Ethanol Oxidation

We investigated the synthesis of nanosized Co 3 O 4 oxide by the polymerization-combustion technique, with different concentrations (3, 12 and 25% w/w) in the ethanol oxidation reaction. Characterization was done by X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction, scanning and transmission electronic microscopy and CO and H 2 chemisorption. Principal results from physicochemical characterization show that the concentration of the metal oxide influence the product distribution and selectivity under isothermal conditions at 420 °C showed the formation of intermediate etoxi-species and preferential dehydrogenation reaction on stream of material. Specific concentrations result in high conversions and H 2 selectivity under present reaction conditions.