Complete Oxidation of C1–C4 Hydrocarbons on La2−xSrxFeO4 (x = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) Catalysts

Catalysts with a Ruddlesden–Popper structure (LaSrFeO4, La0.5Sr1.5FeO4, and La1.5Sr0.5FeO4) were successfully synthesized and tested for the complete oxidation of C1–C4 hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane) as representative compounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for the global warming process. The samples were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, XRD, TEM, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS, O2-TPD, and “depletive oxidation”. The catalyst La0.5Sr1.5FeO4 showed the highest activity in the VOCs oxidation processes. This activity was connected with the enhanced strontium content in the catalyst, leading to high surface Fe4+ concentration and increased Fe4+/Fe3+ ratio, which promoted oxygen mobility and surface oxidation. Kinetic studies, along with physicochemical characterization, indicated that the ethane combustion proceeds via the Mars–van Krevelen mechanism.