Nanocomposites based on LaCoO3 and mesoporous molecular sieves: Preparation and physicochemical and catalytic properties.

Individual perovskite-like LaCoO₃ obtained by the citrate method and LaCoO₃ supported onto the mesoporous molecular sieve MSM-41 have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, EPMA, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, H₂ TPR, and EXAFS. The catalytic activity of the supported cobaltate in methanol oxidation is two orders of magnitude higher than the activity of the bulk cobaltate owing to nanosized LaCoO₃ particles in the pores of the molecular sieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]