Optimization of preparation conditions of Fe-Co nanoparticles in low-temperature CO oxidation reaction by taguchi design method

Mixed iron-cobalt oxide (Co/Fe molar ratio = 1/5) are prepared using a simple co-precipitation procedure and studied for the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. In particular, the effects of a range of preparation variables such as pH value when precipitation, aging temperature, precipitation agent type and aging time are investigated on the catalytic performance of synthesized Fe-Co oxides in CO oxidation reaction. In addition, the preparation factors were optimized by Taguchi design method. The optimized sample was characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption/desorption, TEM and TGA/DTA techniques. The results reveal that the optimized sample shows a mesoporous structure with a narrow pore size distribution centered in the range of 2–7 nm. The sample prepared under optimized conditions has high activity and stability toward removal of carbon monoxide at lower temperatures. It is shown that different preparation variables influence the catalytic performance of Fe-Co oxide in CO oxidation reaction.