Enhanced Catalytic Efficiency of CuMn2O4 in Soot Oxidation: An Investigation into Its Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are essential in mitigating soot emissions. In this study, we synthesized a CuMn₂O₄ catalyst using three distinct methods: sol–gel, hydrothermal, and reflux. The catalysts' structural and morphological characteristics were verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while their reducibility properties were assessed via soot-temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to evaluate the catalytic performance of each sample in soot oxidation. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the cubic phase of CuMn₂O₄ across all synthesis methods. SEM analysis revealed varied morphologies, including coral-shaped, non-uniform-shaped, and aggregated spherical structures. Notably, the hydrothermally prepared CuMn₂O₄ exhibited a higher concentration of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, a key factor in catalytic activity. The hydrothermally prepared CuMn₂O₄ exhibited a superior soot oxidation performance due to a higher concentration of surface-adsorbed oxygen species, achieving a T_50% of 417 °C. This study highlights the potential of CuMn₂O₄ catalysts in enhancing the efficiency of DPFs, offering insights into the role of synthesis methods in optimizing catalyst properties for improved environmental applications.