Degradation of toluene by DBD plasma-catalytic method with MnxCoyCezOn catalysts: Characterization of catalyst, catalytic activity and continuous test

Abstract Toluene was selected as a representative VOCs due to the toxicity and difficulty to degrade aromatic hydrocarbons. The degradation of toluene by the DBD plasma-catalytic method paid much attention. In this process, Mn-based catalysts with Ce, Co were recommendable. However, Mn-based composite catalyst to deal with toluene with DBD plasma-catalytic method, the by-product formation, optimal composition and service life are still not clear. In this work, MnxCoyCezOn catalysts were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts were analyzed. The removal efficiency and by-product analysis of toluene by the DBD plasma-catalytic method with MnxCoyCezOn catalysts were investigated. It was found that MnxCoyCezOn has a good crystalline phase composition, high amounts of chemisorbed and lattice oxygen. The combination of Mn and Co would significantly increase the lattice oxygen of the catalyst, and the addition of Ce can increase the content of chemisorbed oxygen. Through evaluation of catalytic activity, the catalyst of Mn₁Co₁ showed the best catalytic performance. After the continuous test, the Mn₁Co₁ catalyst showed the highest carbon balance and the lowest NOₓ generation rate when the continuous reaction time was less than 5 h.