Catalytic conversion of CO
2 to CH
4 on cobalt oxide and Ru-doped cobalt oxide nanorods was studied with in-house ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP鈥揦PS) using monochromated Al K伪. A correlation between catalytic performances of the two catalysts and their surface chemistry under reaction conditions was built. Active phases of the two catalysts are metallic cobalt and bimetallic Co鈥揜u, respectively. Light-off temperature of Co鈥揜u catalyst is lower than that of a cobalt catalyst. Selectivity to production of CH
4 and activity on the Ru-doped cobalt oxide are obviously enhanced by formation of bimetallic Co鈥揜u ultrathin film in its surface region in contrast to that of cobalt catalyst in the temperature range of 200鈥?40 掳C.
Keywords:
cobalt; catalysis; ambient pressure XPS; bimetallic; carbon dioxide