ABSTRACT The efficient removal of soot particles emitted from diesel engines is critical for both environmental protection and sustainable development. In this study, a series of Na‐modified Co 3 O 4 catalysts with bayberry‐like structures were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and evaluated for soot oxidation. The results demonstrate that the strong synergistic effect between Na and Co enables outstanding catalytic performance. Among all prepared catalysts, the 2% Na/Co 3 O 4 sample achieved the best activity, with T 10 , T 50 , and T 90 values of 278°C, 317°C, and 344°C, respectively. Moreover, this catalyst exhibited excellent stability as well as superior resistance to water and sulfur. Supported by complementary characterizations and in‐situ FT‐IR analysis, the active sites and reaction pathways for soot combustion were further clarified. Overall, this work provides new insights and design strategies for high‐performance soot combustion catalysts with significant implications for real‐world applications.
Fu et al. (2026) studied this question.