Modulation of MnO bond by phosphate for boosting ozone decomposition efficiency

Abstract Catalytic decomposition of ground‐level ozone is proven to be the most efficient and eco‐friendly method for the ozone treatment. Regulating the structure of Mn‐based catalysts has been the primary research focus. But there remains a lack of effective methods to precisely regulate MnO bonds for ground‐breaking catalytic performance. In this study, a PO 4 3− modified layered double hydroxides catalyst (PO 4 ‐LDH) is reported, which is featured with an elongated MnO bond and reduced MnO coordination number. The ozone decomposition reaction rate reached 254.29 μmol g −1 min −1 , which is preponderant to the state‐of‐the‐art LDH catalysts. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicated that the energy barrier of endothermic sub‐steps can all be reduced, including the catalytic step and desorption step. In situ Raman spectra and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra (DRIFTS) further proved that more atomic oxygen can be generated on the surface of PO 4 ‐LDH, and intermediate peroxides were reduced due to the accelerated desorption.