# Jinan University CoO catalyst decomposes ozone for over 24 hours at 70% relative humidity

- Published: 2026-11-05 02:08 UTC
- Section: Science › Chemistry
- Tags: catalytic ozone decomposition, CoO mesocrystal, mesoCoO-P5, humidity-resistant catalyst, ozone pollution, nanocavities, water transport control, Jinan University, Nature Communications
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-79fa88e3f18865df76f2e385_jinan_university_coo/

**Chinese researchers made a laboratory CoO mesocrystal catalyst that resists water poisoning; the authors report it also worked at −5 °C and in a 3 m3 room.**

![Jinan University CoO catalyst decomposes ozone for over 24 hours at 70% relative humidity](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/29b1b507a45f8e82.jpg)
*ENERGY.GOV, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain*

Researchers from Jinan University (Guangzhou), Sun Yat-sen University (Shenzhen campus), the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences and Shanxi University have described a cobalt oxide catalyst for ozone decomposition that keeps working in humid air. The study was published in Nature Communications on 3 November 2026. According to the authors, the mesoCoO-P5 catalyst decomposes ozone stably for more than 24 hours at 70% relative humidity [1].

The authors describe catalytic decomposition as the most efficient and cost-effective method of mitigating O3 pollution. Its further development is held back by the unsatisfactory humidity resistance and poor long-term stability of current catalysts [1]. The team addressed both problems by combining water transport confinement with electronegativity modulation in confined nanospaces of the catalyst.

## Dual-confined structure

mesoCoO-P5 is a hydrophilic dual-space confined CoO mesocrystal with hierarchically organized 0D nanocavities and 2D interlayers [1]. Densely networked hydrogen bonds on the hydrophilic confined surface restrict the mobility of water. According to the authors, this prevents catalyst poisoning caused by water accumulation [1].

Electronegative hydroxyl groups on the catalyst play a second role: they promote the conversion of peroxide intermediates into O2 [1].

## Test conditions

Beyond the run of more than 24 hours at 70% relative humidity, the catalyst maintained high activity at −5 °C and at an ultrahigh space velocity of 4000 L·g−1h−1 [1]. The authors also demonstrated accelerated ozone decomposition in a 3 m3 indoor room and under conditions where dust was present [1].

The authors conclude that confinement engineering is a new paradigm for enhancing anti-poisoning properties in the design of robust environmental catalysts [1].

Jialin Li and Zicong Jiang contributed equally to the work. Correspondence is listed for Jingling Yang, Yang Yun and Jing Zheng. The article's DOI is 10.1038/s41467-026-79279-x.

## Sources

1. [Nature Communications](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-79279-x)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-79fa88e3f18865df76f2e385_jinan_university_coo/