Comparison of the Kinetic Behaviors of Fe2O3 Spherical Submicron Clusters and Fe2O3 Fine Powder Catalysts for CO Oxidation

${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ spherical particles having an average diameter of ca. 420 nm and ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ fine particles (< 10 ${\mu}m$ particle size) were prepared to examine as catalysts for CO oxidation. Kinetic studies on the catalytic reactions were performed in a flow reactor using an on-line gas chromatography system operated at 1 atm. The apparent activation energies and the partial orders with respect to CO and $O_2$ were determined from the rates of CO disappearance in the reaction stage showing a constant catalytic activity. In the temperature range of $150-275^{\circ}C$, the apparent activation energies were calculated to be 13.7 kcal/mol on the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ spherical submicron clusters and 15.0 kcal/mol on the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ fine powder. The Pco and $Po_2$ dependencies of rate were investigated at various partial pressures of CO and $O_2$ at $250^{\circ}C$. Zero-order kinetics were observed for $O_2$ on both the catalysts, but the reaction order for CO was observed as first-order on the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ fine powder and 0.75-order on the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ spherical submicron clusters. The catalytic processes including the inhibition process by $CO_2$ on the ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ spherical submicron powder are discussed according to the kinetic results. The catalysts were characterized using XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), FE-SEM (field emission-scanning electron microscopy), HR-TEM (high resolution-transmission electron microscopy), and $N_2$ sorption measurements.