Catalytic ozonation of CH2Cl2 over hollow urchin-like MnO2 with regulation of active oxygen by catalyst modification and ozone promotion

This paper firstly reported efficient catalytic ozonation of CH2Cl2 (dichloromethane, DCM) at low temperature over hollow urchin-like MnO2 with high chlorine resistance. Regulations on morphologies and Cu doping, as well as ozone promotion were conducted to optimize active oxygen of MnO2 catalysts, contributing to excellent catalytic behaviors. Cu doping MnO2 with hollow urchin-like morphology attained a stable 100% DCM conversion with O-3/DCM molar ratio of 10 at 120 degrees C. The ozone utilization rate, final products, and byproducts distribution were discussed. Abundant crystal defects, low-valance Mn/Cu, Oads, and weak acidity, as well as better low temperature reducibility contributed to its superior performance. During DCM catalytic ozonation, DCM oxidation exhibited competitive effect on O-3 decomposition due to the occupation of intermediates (CH2ClO3., O- CH2Cl, and O- CH2 - O) over active sites that should belong to O-3 originally. Nevertheless, O-3 decomposition exhibited synergistic effects on DCM oxidation with promotion on active oxygen. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the positive effect on oxygen vacancy formation and O-3/DCM adsorption from Cu doping. The possible mechanism for DCM catalytic ozonation included four parts, including O-3/DCM adsorption, O-3 activation, DCM oxidation, and electron replenishment. This paper provides new insight for catalytic elimination of chlorinated alkanes at mild conditions.

Automated summary

This paper reports an efficient and low-temperature catalytic ozonation method for the oxidation of dichloromethane, which can eliminate chlorinated alkanes under mild conditions. By controlling the morphology and Cu doping of the catalysts, as well as promoting ozone, the active oxygen system was optimized, leading to excellent catalytic performance.