Nanocage‐Shaped Co_3−xZr_xO₄ Solid‐Solution Supports Loaded with Pt Nanoparticles as Effective Catalysts for the Enhancement of Toluene Oxidation

Abstract Nanocage‐shaped Co_3−xZr_xO₄ solid‐solution supports and the corresponding platinum loaded nanocomposites, yPt/Co_3−xZr_xO₄ (x =0.27, 0.50, 0.69; y = 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 wt.%), are successfully fabricated via a Cu₂O nanocube hard template method and a glycol reduction method, respectively. The hollow nanocage structures obviously improve surface areas; moreover, the Zr doping forms the Co_3−xZr_xO₄ solid‐solution supports, and the corresponding yPt/Co_3−xZr_xO₄ catalysts promote the enhancement of catalytic performance. Catalytic activity toward toluene combustion is enhanced for the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ catalyst. The catalysts are characterized using multiple techniques. Pt nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed across the Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ nanocage surface. The 2.0 wt% Pt/Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity among all the samples and demonstrates good stability, with 90% toluene conversion obtained at a temperature of 165 °C. The same catalyst accomplishes full toluene oxidation at 180 °C, at a weight hourly space velocity of 36 000 mL h⁻¹ g⁻¹. The apparent activation energy (E_a) over the yPt/Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ samples are significantly lower than those over the Co_3−xZr_xO₄ supports, with the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ catalyst exhibiting the lowest E_a value. These findings demonstrate the potential of the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co_2.73Zr_0.27O₄ catalyst as a promising catalyst toward atmospheric toluene removal.