Pt/CeMnOx/Diatomite: A Highly Active Catalyst for the Oxidative Removal of Toluene and Ethyl Acetate

Pt nanoparticles and a CeMnOx composite were loaded on the surface of the natural diatomite material to generate the Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite using the redox precipitation and impregnation methods. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by means of various techniques. The catalytic properties and resistance to H2O and SO2 of the catalysts were measured for the oxidation of typical volatile organic compounds (i.e., toluene and ethyl acetate). Among all of the as-prepared samples, Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite exhibited the highest catalytic activity: the temperatures (T-90%) at a toluene or ethyl acetate conversion of 90% were 230 and 210 degrees C at a space velocity (SV) of 20,000 mL g(-1) h(-1), respectively, and the turnover frequency (TOFPt) at 220 degrees C was 1.04 mu mol/(g(cat) s) for ethyl acetate oxidation and 1.56 mu mol/(g(cat) s) for toluene oxidation. In particular, this sample showed a superior catalytic activity for ethyl acetate oxidation at low temperatures, with its T-50% being 185 degrees C at SV = 20,000 mL g(-1) h(-1). In addition, the Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite sample possessed good sulfur dioxide resistance during the toluene oxidation process. In the presence of SO2, some of the SO2 molecules were adsorbed on diatomite, which protected the active sites from being poisoned by SO2 to a certain extent. The pathways of ethyl acetate and toluene oxidation over Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite or Pt/CeMnOx were as follows: The C-C and C-O bonds in ethyl acetate are first broken to form the CH3CH2O* and CH3CO* species or toluene is first oxidized to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid, and all of these intermediates are then converted to CO2 and H2O. This work can provide a strategy to develop efficient catalysts with high catalytic activity, durability, low cost, and easy availability under actual working conditions.

Automated summary

Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite exhibits high catalytic activity for the oxidation of volatile organic compounds, especially ethyl acetate, at low temperatures. It also shows good resistance to sulfur dioxide. The oxidation pathways of ethyl acetate and toluene over Pt/CeMnOx/diatomite involve the breaking of C-C and C-O bonds followed by conversion to CO2 and H2O. This research provides a strategy for developing efficient catalysts with high catalytic activity and durability under actual working conditions.