Low Temperature Combustion of VOCs with Enhanced Catalytic Activity Over MnO2 Nanotubes Loaded with Pt and Ni–Fe Spinel

MnO2 nanotubes loaded with Pt and Ni–Fe spinel were synthesized using simple hydrothermal and sol–gel techniques. After loading with Ni–Fe spinel, the specific surface area of the material increases 3-fold. This change helped to provide more active sites and facilitated the association between the catalyst and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy determined that the adsorbed oxygen concentrations were all greatly increased after Pt loading, indicating that Pt promoted the adsorption of oxygen and so accelerated the combustion process. The performance of the catalyst after loading with 2 wt % Pt was greatly improved, such that the T90 for benzene decomposition was decreased to 113 °C. In addition, the 2% Pt/2Mn@NFO exhibited excellent low-temperature catalytic activity when reacting with low concentrations of toluene and ethyl acetate. This work therefore demonstrates a viable new approach to the development of Mn-based catalysts for the low temperature catalytic remediation of VOCs.