High Selectivity to HCl for the Catalytic Removal of 1,2-Dichloroethane Over RuP/3DOM WOx: Insights into the Effects of P-Doping and H2O Introduction

Ru-based catalysts for catalytic combustion of high-toxicity Cl-containing volatile organic compounds are inclined to produce Cl-2 instead of ideal HCl due to the Deacon reaction. We herein reported that the three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) WOx-supported RuP nanocatalyst greatly improved HCl selectivity (at 400 degrees C, increased from 66.0% over Ru/3DOM WOx to 96.4% over RuP/3DOM WOx) and reduced chlorine-containing byproducts for 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) oxidation. P-doping enhanced the number of structural hydroxyl groups and Bronsted acid sites. The isotopic 1,2-DCE temperature-programmed desorption experiment in the presence of (H2O)-O-18 indicated the generation of a new active oxygen species (OO)-O-16-O-18 that participated in the reaction. Generally, P-doping and H2O introduction could promote the exchange reaction between Cl and hydroxyl groups, rather than oxygen defects, and then benefit the production of HCl and reduce the generation of other chlorine species or Cl-2, via the reaction processes of C2H3Cl -> alcohol -> aldehyde -> carboxylic acids.

Automated summary

The study indicates that P-doping and H2O introduction can enhance the selectivity of HCl in the oxidation reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane, reducing the generation of chlorine-containing byproducts.