Effects of a Catalyst on the Nanostructure and Reactivity of Soot under an Oxygen Atmosphere

The promotional effects of soot oxidation with an additional catalyst were studied via varying the oxidation temperature (650 and 1000 °C) at the same temperature ramp. The performance with or without the catalyst was evaluated through temperature-programmed oxidation in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) mode. The soot structure, morphology, and surface properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The soot with the catalyst showed a less ordered crystalline structure under the low temperature period (50–650 °C). Under an increased temperature, the difference in crystal lattice between soot A and soot B increased. These results illustrate the soot oxidation process with catalysts in an O₂ atmosphere.