Volatile organic compounds abatement over copper-based catalysts: Effect of support

The effect of the support was explored for Cu-based catalysts on the oxidation of ethyl acetate (EtOAc), a common volatile organic compound. In particular, four Rare Earth Oxide(s) (REO), namely CeO2, Gd2O3, La2O3 and Sm2O3, were used as supports to obtain the Cu/REO catalysts. The samples were characterized by N-2 adsorption at -196 degrees C (to determine the surface area), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction to gain insight into the impact of textural, structural and redox properties on the catalytic efficiency. The following sequence, in terms of EtOAc conversion, was revealed: Cu/CeO2 > Cu/Gd2O3 > Cu/Sm2O3 > Cu/La2O3, which is closely related to the redox properties of the Cu/REO samples, in terms of reducibility and labile oxygen availability. Complete EtOAc conversion was achieved at temperatures as low as 275 degrees C over Cu/CeO2, which was the most efficient catalyst. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.