Hydrochlorination of acetylene over the Ru-based catalysts treated by plasma under different atmospheres

Ru-based catalysts modified in different atmospheres by plasma technology were prepared to catalyze the acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. The (Ru/AC)-N2 (AC = activated carbon) catalyst yielded by the plasma modification of Ru/AC catalyst in N2 atmosphere exhibits the best catalytic performance with a stable C2H2 conversion of 87.2%; a relative increase of 27.1% in C2H2 conversion was achieved compared with that of the untreated Ru/AC catalyst. The results of the analysis revealed that the modification produced a mutual effect between the generated function groups on carrier AC and the active components, which can disperse and yield more active species in the fresh catalysts. These are benefits of enhancing the activity of the catalysts. Moreover, the modification can restrain coke formation and inhibit the loss of active species in the reaction, as well as strengthen the adsorption ability of reactants on the catalysts. These are benefits of improving the catalysts' performance.