Investigation of ZrMnFe/Sepiolite Catalysts on Toluene Degradation in a One-Stage Plasma-Catalysis System

• Main Authors: Jianqi Liu, Xin Liu, Jiayao Chen, Xianying Li, Tianpeng Ma, Fangchuan Zhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: non-thermal plasma; plasma-catalysis synergy; VOC remediation; air pollution control; toluene; ZrMnFe/sepiolite
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/7/828

Toluene removal by double dielectric barrier charge (DDBD) plasma combined with a ZrMnFe/Sepiolite (SEP) catalyst was investigated and compared with the results from Fe/SEP, Mn/SEP and MnFe/SEP ones. All the catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method and characterized by XRD, BET, ICP, SEM, TEM, H₂-TPR and XPS. The effect of catalysts on toluene degradation efficiency, carbon balance, CO₂ selectivity and residual O₃ concentration was studied. The experimental results indicated that the ZrMnFe/SEP catalyst presented the best catalytic performance. This is because of the high content of lattice oxygen contained in its surface, owing to the addition of Zr. When the SIE was 740 J/L, the highest toluene removal efficiency (87%), carbon balance (93%) and CO₂ selectivity (51%) were obtained. The ZrMnFe/SEP catalyst had a better ozone inhibition effect than other catalysts. The catalyst has good stability, which the toluene removal efficiency, carbon balance and CO₂ selectivity did not decrease significantly after 36 h of work at a constant energy density. The results indicated that the ZrMnFe/SEP catalyst is an efficient catalyst for degradation of toluene by plasma-catalyst measures.