Effect of g-C3N4 nano-structure on catalytic performance of CoOx/g-C3N4 in catalytic combustion of toluene

A series of graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C 3 N 4 ) were prepared using different precursors; these g-C 3 N 4 -supported CoOx catalysts exhibited different catalytic performances in toluene catalytic combustion reaction. The structure of samples was detected by XRD, TEM, SEM, XPS, H 2 -TPR, nitrogen adsorption and desorption technique, to build up the structure–performance relationship and uncover the key property of g-C 3 N 4 that mostly influences the catalytic performance of CoOx/g-C 3 N 4 . CoOx with average particle size of 12.7 nm supported on g-C 3 N 4 prepared by dicyandiamide showed better catalytic performance than on other supports, 100% toluene conversion could be achieved at ~ 285 °C, characterization results showed that Co was directly connected with N, and the integrity of g-C 3 N 4 sheet affects the dispersion of CoOx; the content of sp 2 -N (within C=N–C structure) determines the interaction between g-C 3 N 4 and CoOx; these two factors together affect the performance of CoOx/g-C 3 N 4 catalysts in the catalytic combustion of toluene.