Catalytic oxidation of benzene with ozone over Mn ion-exchanged zeolites

Fundamental insights and recent advances in catalytic oxidation processes using ozone for the control of volatile organic compounds

The development of technologies for highly efficient treatment of emissions containing low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) remains an important challenge. Catalytic oxidation with ozone (catalytic ozonation) is useful for the oxidative decomposition of VOCs, particularly aromatic compounds, under ambient temperature conditions. Only inexpensive transition metal oxides are required as catalysts, and Mn-based catalysts are widely used for catalytic ozonation. This review describes the oxidation reaction mechanisms, reaction pathways of aromatic hydrocarbons, and dependence of the catalytic ozonation activity on the reaction conditions. The reasons why Mn oxides are effective in catalytic ozonation are also explained. The structure of the catalytic active sites and the types of supporting materials contributing to the reaction are also discussed in detail, with the aim of establishing a VOC control technology. In addition, recent progress in catalytic oxidation processes using ozone as an oxidant has been outlined, focusing on catalyst materials and reaction conditions.

Synergistically Improved Catalytic Ozonation Process Using Iron-Loaded Activated Carbons for the Removal of Arsenic in Drinking Water

This research attempts to find a new approach for the removal of arsenic (As) from drinking water by developing a novel solution. To the author’s knowledge, iron-loaded activated carbons (Fe-AC) have not been previously applied for the removal of As in a synergistic process using ozonation and catalytic ozonation processes. The As was investigated using drinking water samples in different areas of Lahore, Pakistan, and the As removal was compared with and without using catalysts. The results also suggested that the catalytic ozonation process significantly removes As as compared with single ozonation and adsorption processes. Moreover, a feed ozone of 1.0 mg/min and catalyst dose of 10 g was found to maintain a maximum removal efficiency of 98.6% within 30 min. The results of the catalyst dose–effect suggested that the removal of As tends to increase with the increase in catalysts amount. Hence, it is concluded that the Fe-AC/O3 process efficiently removes As in water. Moreover, it was established that the Fe-AC/O3 process might be regarded as an effective method for removing As from drinking water compared to the single ozonation and adsorption processes.

Application of Attapulgite Clay-Based Fe-Zeolite 5A in UV-Assisted Catalytic Ozonation for the Removal of Ciprofloxacin

For the first time, Fe-zeolite 5A (Fe-Z5A) efficacy in the UV-assisted ozonation process to remove ciprofloxacin (CF) in wastewater is investigated. FTIR, SEM, EDX, BET, and the mass transfer process for point of zero charge are used to characterize the catalyst. Furthermore, the synergic process (UV/O3/Fe-Z5A) is compared with O3, O3/UV, and Fe-Z5A/O3 processes. The influence of catalyst dose, hydroxyl radical scavenger, and off-gas ozone released is discussed. The removal efficiency of CF in wastewater (for the synergic process) is compared with a single ozonation process. The results indicate that the synergic process was more efficient than others, with about 73% CF being removed (in 60 minutes) in the synergic process. The results also show that synergic processes produce less off-gas ozone than other processes, suggesting more ozone consumption in the synergic process, and confirmed by the radical scavenger effect and hydrogen peroxide decomposition studies. The Fe-Z5A was found to operate through a hydroxyl mechanism in which Fe worked as an active site that promotes the formation of hydroxyl radicals. Finally, the synergic process was more efficient than the ozonation process in the wastewater matrix. Hence, Fe-Z5A/O3/UV pathway is highly efficient for the degradation of pharmaceuticals in wastewater.

Porous stainless-steel fibers supported CuCeFeOx/Zeolite catalysts for the enhanced CO oxidation: Experimental and kinetic studies

To develop novel catalysts of high-performance and cost-effectiveness, and to investigate the reaction kinetics of CO oxidation, ternary CuCeFeO_x catalysts supported on zeolite/PSF (porous stainless-steel fibers) were synthesized for the first time. Effects of different Ce/Fe ratios, loading amounts, calcination temperatures, and reaction kinetics were investigated. Remarkably improved catalytic performance was achieved in the PSF-supported catalysts compared to the granular ones, owing to the increased mass/heat transfer efficiency and the high dispersion of active metal oxide species anchored on the zeolite layer. The Cu₃Ce₁₂Fe₄-400 sample exhibited the best catalytic activity with a temperature difference in T₉₀ of almost 40 °C lower than the worst one. Characterization results from XRD, FTIR, TEM, XPS, H₂-TPR, etc. revealed that the promoted reducibility of metal oxides and formation of more oxygen vacancies significantly contributed to the enhanced catalytic activity. Furthermore, a generalized rate expression was derived from intrinsic and macro kinetic studies by assuming the conversion of CO to CO₂ as the rate-determining step, in which CO oxidation over the PSF-supported catalysts followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic established by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood type mechanism.

Low Temperature Catalytic Oxidation of Ethanol Using Ozone over Manganese Oxide-Based Catalysts in Powdered and Monolithic Forms

Catalytic oxidation of low concentrations of ethanol was investigated in dry and humid air streams at low temperature (60 °C) over manganese oxide-based catalysts supported on a meso–macrostructured TiO2 using ozone as the oxidant. Ethanol was selected as a representative model VOC present in indoor air, and its concentration was fixed to 10 ppm. For that purpose, a series of Mn/TiO2 powder and monolithic catalysts was prepared, some doped with 0.5 wt% Pd. Whatever the catalyst, the presence of water vapor in the gas phase had a beneficial effect on the conversion of ethanol and ozone. The Pd–Mn/TiO2 catalyst containing 0.5 wt% Pd and 5 wt% Mn exhibited superior oxidation efficiency to the Mn/TiO2 counterparts by increasing ozone decomposition (77%) while simultaneously increasing the selectivity to CO2 (85%). The selectivity to CO2 approached nearly 100% by increasing the amount of catalyst from 20 to 80 mg. In a further step, alumina wash-coated cordierite honeycomb monoliths were coated with the 0.5Pd–5Mn/TiO2 catalyst. Full conversion of ethanol to CO2 without residual O3 emitted (less than 10 ppb) could be attained, thereby demonstrating that the proposed Pd–Mn/TiO2 monolithic catalyst fulfills the specifications required for onboard systems.

Catalytic ozonation of VOCs at low temperature: A comprehensive review

VOCs abatement has attracted increasing interest because of the detrimental effects on both atmospheric environment and human beings of VOCs. The assistance of ozone has enabled efficient VOCs removal at low temperature. Thereby, catalytic ozonation is considered as one of the most feasible and effective methods for VOCs elimination. This work systematically reviews the emerging advances of catalytic ozonation of different VOCs (i.e., aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated VOCs, chlorinated VOCs, sulfur-containing VOCs, and saturated alkanes) over various functional catalysts. General reaction mechanism of catalytic ozonation including both Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Mars-van-Krevelen mechanisms was proposed depending on the reactive oxygen species involving the reactions. The influence of reaction conditions (water vapor and temperature) is fully discussed. This review also introduces the enhanced VOCs oxidation via catalytic ozonation in the ozone-generating systems including plasma and vacuum ultraviolet. Lastly, the existing challenges of VOCs catalytic ozonation are presented, and the perspective of this technology is envisioned.

Pt/MnOx for toluene mineralization via ozonation catalysis at low temperature: SMSI optimization of surface oxygen species

The problem of deep oxidation of low concentrations of VOCs in industrial tail gas is exceptionally urgent. The preparation of VOCs ozonation catalyst with a high mineralization rate is still a challenge. In this paper, manganese oxide carriers with different morphologies were synthesized by simple methods and used to catalyze ozone mineralization of toluene after loading Pt nanoparticles efficiently. The conversion of toluene over Pt/MnO_x-T catalyst was more than 98 % at ambient temperature, and the mineralization rate of toluene was close to 100 % at 70 °C. Through a variety of characterization methods, the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) between Pt nanoparticles and carriers was successfully constructed. It was found that SMSI successfully optimized the surface oxygen species and oxygen migration ability of the catalyst, and then realized the high degree of mineralization of toluene at low temperature. This paper guides the subsequent development of Pt-Mn catalysts for catalytic organic pollutants ozonation with high activity.

Catalytic Ozonation of Toluene over Acidic Surface Transformed Natural Zeolite: A Dual-Site Reaction Mechanism and Kinetic Approach

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are responsible for damage to health due to their carcinogenic effects. Catalytic ozonation using zeolite appears as a valuable process to eliminate VOCs from industrial emissions at room temperature. For full-scale application of this new abatement technology, an intrinsic reaction rate equation is needed for an effective process design and scale-up. Results obtained here provide a mechanistic approach during the initial stage of catalytic ozonation of toluene using an acidic surface transformed natural zeolite. In particular, the contribution of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites on the surface reaction mechanism and overall kinetic rate are identified through experimental data. The least-squares non-linear regression method allows the rate-determining step to be established, following a Langmuir–Hinshelwood surface reaction approximation. Experimental evidence suggest that ozone is adsorbed and decomposed at Lewis acid sites, forming active atomic oxygen that leads to the oxidation of adsorbed toluene at Brønsted acid sites.

Manganese supported on controlled dealumination Y-zeolite for ozone catalytic oxidation of low concentration toluene at low temperature

Low-temperature catalytic degradation of VOCs with ozone has received widespread attention recently. In this work, a combination method of steam and nitric acid was used to control the dealuminization of Y zeolite, and then manganese oxide was loaded on the Y zeolite by impregnation method. It was found that MnO_x was highly dispersed in the dealumination zeolite, and the adsorbed oxygens were more easily activated in the active oxygen vacancies. The MnO_x supported on dealumination Y zeolite showed better catalytic effect than that supported on the parent Y. At low humidity (0.8%) in 30 °C, the degradation efficiency of toluene reached above 94% by using the catalyst with mild dealumination. When more water vapor was introduced, the degradation of toluene was inhibited. However, the catalytic performance of the catalyst with deep dealumination was not affected. With the help of in-situ DRIFTS, it was observed that the intermediates and reaction by-products had changed under different humidity conditions.

Catalytic ozonation for degradation of sulfamethazine using NiCo2O4 as catalyst

In this study, spinel NiCo₂O₄ was prepared, characterized, and used for catalytic ozonation of SMT. The performance of NiCo₂O₄ in SMT mineralization was systematically evaluated. The results showed that NiCo₂O₄ could significantly enhance the mineralization of SMT over a wide initial pH range of 3.0-9.0. The mineralization rate of SMT increased with the increase in the dosage of NiCo₂O₄ and O₃ concentration, while the initial concentration of SMT (from 10 mg/L to 40 mg/L) had no obvious influence on the removal efficiency of TOC, indicating that the SMT mineralization was mainly affected by the mass transfer. Furthermore, according to the result of the determination of OH, NiCo₂O₄ could undoubtedly improve the generation of OH, the quenching test confirmed that OH played an important role in TOC removal in ozonation process. Moreover, the XPS spectra of as-prepared and used NiCo₂O₄ catalyst showed that Co ions might indirectly promote the catalytic ozonation process as the Lewis acid sites, while the Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ cycle in the catalyst played a vital role in catalyzing ozone to generate free radicals and enhancing the mineralization capacity of NiCo₂O₄/O₃ system.

Effective toluene oxidation under ozone over mesoporous MnOx/γ-Al2O3 catalyst prepared by solvent deficient method: Effect of Mn precursors on catalytic activity

In this study, the role of manganese precursors in mesoporous (meso) MnOx/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts was examined systematically for toluene oxidation under ozone at ambient temperature (20 °C). The meso MnOx/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts developed with Mn(CH₃COO)_2, MnCl₂, Mn(NO₃)₂.4H₂O and MnSO₄ were prepared by an innovative single step solvent-deficient method (SDM); the catalysts were labeled as MnO_x/Al₂O₃(A), MnO_x/Al₂O₃(C), MnO_x/Al₂O₃(N), and MnOx/Al₂O₃(S), respectively. Among all, MnO_x/Al₂O₃(C) showed superior performance both in toluene removal (95%) as well as ozone decomposition (88%) followed by acetate, nitrate and sulphated precursor MnO_x/Al₂O₃. The superior performance of MnO_x/Al₂O₃(C) in the oxidation of toluene to CO_x is associated with the ozone decomposition over highly dispersed MnO_x in which extremely active oxygen radicals (O^2-, O₂^2- and O^-) are generated to enhance the oxidation ability of the catalysts greatly. In addition, toluene adsorption over acid support played a vital role in this reaction. Hence, the properties such as optimum Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio, acidic sites, and smaller particle size (≤2 nm) examined by XPS, TPD of NH₃, and TEM results are playing vital role in the present study. In summary, the MnO_x/Al₂O₃ (C) catalyst has great potential in environmental applications particularly for the elimination of volatile organic compounds with low loading of manganese developed by SDM.

Combined Iron-Loaded Zeolites and Ozone-Based Process for the Purification of Drinking Water in a Novel Hybrid Reactor: Removal of Faecal Coliforms and Arsenic

This study was carried out to provide a novel solution to treat drinking water at household levels, specifically removing arsenic (As) and faecal coliforms (microbes). In the current investigation, a synergistic iron-loaded zeolites and ozonation process (O3/Fe-ZA) was used for the first time in a modified batch reactor to remove coliform bacteria and arsenic in tap water. Moreover, the study utilizes the human health risk assessment model to confirm the health risk due to As intake in drinking water. The risk assessment study revealed a health risk threat among the residents suffering from the adverse effects of As through its intake in drinking water. Furthermore, the results also suggested that the O3/Fe-ZA process significantly removes faecal coliforms and As, when compared with single ozonation processes. Additionally, the ozone dose 0.2 mg/min and Fe-ZA dose of 10 g (in the O3/Fe-ZA process) gives the maximum removal efficiency of 100% within 15 min for faecal coliform removal. In 30 min, the removal efficiency of 88.4% was achieved at the ozone dose of 0.5 mg/min and 93% removal efficiency was achieved using 10 g Fe-ZA for the removal of As in the O3/Fe-ZA process. Hence, it was concluded that the O3/Fe-ZA process may be regarded as an effective method for removing faecal coliforms and As from drinking water compared to the single ozonation processes.

The Use of Zeolites for VOCs Abatement by Combining Non-Thermal Plasma, Adsorption, and/or Catalysis: A Review

Non-thermal plasma technique can be easily integrated with catalysis and adsorption for environmental applications such as volatile organic compound (VOC) abatement to overcome the shortcomings of individual techniques. This review attempts to give an overview of the literature about the application of zeolite as adsorbent and catalyst in combination with non-thermal plasma for VOC abatement in flue gas. The superior surface properties of zeolites in combination with its excellent catalytic properties obtained by metal loading make it an ideal packing material for adsorption plasma catalytic removal of VOCs. This work highlights the use of zeolites for cyclic adsorption plasma catalysis in order to reduce the energy cost to decompose per VOC molecule and to regenerate zeolites via plasma.

Incorporation of Mn into the vacant T-atom sites of a BEA zeolite as isolated, mononuclear Mn: FTIR, XPS, EPR and DR UV-Vis studies

A MnSiBEA zeolite has been prepared via a two-step postsynthesis procedure which consisted, in the first step, of the treatment of a tetraethylammonium BEA zeolite with nitric acid for the formation of vacant T-atom sites and then, in the second step, of the incorporation of Mn ions into the framework, resulting in a SiBEA zeolite, through their reaction with the silanol group of the vacant T-atom sites. The incorporation of Mn ions into the framework of the SiBEA zeolite has been evidenced using XRD. The formation of isolated mononuclear Mn(ii) and Mn(iii) in a MnSiBEA zeolite has been shown using FTIR, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis, EPR and XPS. The acidic properties of the mononuclear manganese species have been investigated via FTIR spectroscopy using pyridine as the probe molecule. The changes in the oxidation state of the Mn species under various treatments have been proven using EPR.

Low temperature destruction of PCDD/Fs over V2O5-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst with ozone

Catalytic destruction of PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans) over V2O5-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst was investigated at a low temperature range of 140-180 °C, in the absence and presence of ozone (200 ppm). Nano-TiO2 support was used to prepare the catalyst by step impregnation method. A stable PCDD/Fs-generating system was established to support the catalytic destruction tests. In the presence of ozone alone, destruction efficiencies of PCDD/Fs are between 32.2 and 43.1 % with temperature increasing from 140 to 180 °C. The activity of V2O5-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst alone on PCDD/Fs destruction is also studied. The increase of temperature from 140 to 180 °C enhances the activity of catalyst with destruction efficiencies increasing from 54.7 to 73.4 %. However, ozone addition greatly enhances the catalytic activity of V2O5-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst on PCDD/Fs decomposition. At 180 °C, the destruction efficiency of PCDD/Fs achieved with V2O5-CeO2/TiO2 catalyst and ozone is above 86.0 %. It indicates that the combined use of ozone and catalyst reduces the reaction temperature of PCDD/Fs oxidation and offers a new method to destroy PCDD/Fs with high destruction efficiency at a low temperature. Furthermore, the destruction efficiencies of 17 toxic PCDD/F congeners, achieved with ozone alone, catalyst alone, and catalyst/ozone are analyzed.

Comparison of catalytic properties of supported metal oxides for benzene oxidation using ozone

The oxidation behavior of intermediate compounds is the key factor for controlling the catalytic activities.

Oxidative regeneration of toluene-saturated natural zeolite by gaseous ozone: the influence of zeolite chemical surface characteristics

In this study, the effect of zeolite chemical surface characteristics on the oxidative regeneration of toluene saturated-zeolite samples is investigated. A Chilean natural zeolite (53% clinoptilolite, 40% mordenite and 7% quartz) was chemically modified by acid treatment with hydrochloric acid and by ion-exchange with ammonium sulphate. Thermal pre-treatments at 623 and 823K were applied and six zeolite samples with different chemical surface characteristics were generated. Chemical modification of natural zeolite followed by thermal out-gassing allows distinguishing the role of acidic surface sites on the regeneration of exhausted zeolites. An increase in Brønsted acid sites on zeolite surface is observed as a result of ammonium-exchange treatment followed by thermal treatment at 623K, thus increasing the adsorption capacity toward toluene. High ozone consumption could be associated to a high content of Lewis acid sites, since these could decompose ozone into atomic active oxygen species. Then, surface oxidation reactions could take part among adsorbed toluene at Brønsted acid sites and surface atomic oxygen species, reducing the amount of adsorbed toluene after the regenerative oxidation with ozone. Experimental results show that the presence of adsorbed oxidation by-products has a negative impact on the recovery of zeolite adsorption capacity.

Ozone catalytic oxidation of adsorbed benzene over AgMn/HZSM-5 catalysts at room temperature

Investigation of ozone catalytic oxidation of adsorbed benzene over AgMn/HZSM-5 to provide insight into plasma catalytic oxidation of adsorbed benzene in the cycled storage–discharge process.

Methylene blue removal from contaminated waters using heterogeneous catalytic ozonation promoted by natural zeolite: mechanism and kinetic approach

This paper presents experimental results of a methylene blue removal system based on heterogeneous catalytic ozonation in the presence of natural zeolite. The effect of pH (2-10) and the presence of radical scavengers (acetate ions) on homogeneous and heterogeneous ozonation systems are assessed at laboratory scale. Results show that heterogeneous catalytic ozonation using natural zeolite increases methylene blue removal rate with respect to the single ozonation process at all pH values. The inhibitory effect of free-radical scavengers is impaired by zeolite, suggesting that methylene blue oxidation reactions take place mainly on the zeolite surface. The increase in methylene blue removal rate could be related to ozone interaction with hydroxyl groups present on the zeolite surface (S--OH2(+), S--OH, S--O(-)), which plays a key role in the reaction mechanism.

Catalytic ozone oxidation of benzene at low temperature over MnOx/Al-SBA-16 catalyst

The low-temperature catalytic ozone oxidation of benzene was investigated. In this study, Al-SBA-16 (Si/Al = 20) that has a three-dimensional cubic Im3m structure and a high specific surface area was used for catalytic ozone oxidation for the first time. Two different Mn precursors, i.e., Mn acetate and Mn nitrate, were used to synthesize Mn-impregnated Al-SBA-16 catalysts. The characteristics of these two catalysts were investigated by instrumental analyses using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction. A higher catalytic activity was exhibited when Mn acetate was used as the Mn precursor, which is attributed to high Mn dispersion and a high degree of reduction of Mn oxides formed by Mn acetate than those formed by Mn nitrate.

Catalytic oxidation of benzene in the gas phase over alumina-supported silver catalysts

Catalytic properties of Ag/Al(2)O(3) for complete oxidation of benzene with ozone at 295-373 K were studied and compared with those of Mn/Al(2)O(3). At the reaction temperature of 295 K, the Ag/Al(2)O(3) catalysts showed selectivity to CO(x) (ca. 80%) higher than that of the oxide of metals in the first transition series (Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu) supported on Al(2)O(3), which had selectivities of 28-62%. The catalyst showed gradual deactivation from accumulation of byproduct compounds on the catalyst surface. FTIR studies revealed that the byproduct compounds consisted of easily decomposable species and hardly decomposable species. The rate for benzene oxidation linearly increased with Ag loadings (approximately 15 wt %) and was not improved at higher loading levels. The ratios of ozone decomposition to benzene oxidation and ozone decomposition to CO(x) selectivity were evaluated to be 7.5 and 80%, respectively, and they were independent of benzene conversion. The Ag/Al(2)O(3) catalyst showed steady-state activities at a reaction temperature of 313-373 K, and the conversion increased with the increase in the reaction temperature. The presence of water vapor in the reaction gas inhibited the catalyst deactivation, and steady-state activity was obtained at a reaction temperature of 295 K, while it did not affect the activities for benzene oxidation but improved the CO(2) selectivity.

Removal of volatile organic compounds by single-stage and two-stage plasma catalysis systems: a review of the performance enhancement mechanisms, current status, and suitable applications

This paper provides a comprehensive review regarding the application of plasma catalysis, the integration of nonthermal plasma and catalysis, on VOC removal. This novel technique combinesthe advantages of fast ignition/response from nonthermal plasma and high selectivity from catalysis. It has been successfully demonstrated that plasma catalysis could serve as an effective solution to the major bottlenecks encountered by nonthermal plasma, i.e., the reduction of energy consumption and unwanted/hazardous byproducts. Instead of working independently, the combination could induce extra performance enhancement mechanisms either in a single-stage or a two-stage configuration, in which the catalyst is located inside and downstream from the nonthermal plasma reactor, respectively. These mechanisms are believed to be responsible for the higher energy efficiency and better CO2 selectivity achieved with plasma catalysis. A comprehensive discussion on the performance enhancement mechanisms is provided in this review paper. Moreover, the current status of the applications of two different plasma catalysis systems on VOC abatement are also given and compared. The catalyst plays an important role in both configurations. Especially for the single-stage type, depositing an inappropriate active component on catalytic support would decrease the VOC removal efficiency instead. To date, no definite conclusion on catalyst selection forthe single-stage plasma catalysis is available. However, MnO2 seems to be the best catalyst for two-stage configuration because it could effectively decompose ozone and generate active species toward VOC destruction. On the other hand, although the single-stage plasma catalysis has been proved to be superior to the two-stage configuration, it does not mean that the former is always the best choice. Considering the typical VOC concentrations from different sources and the characteristics of different plasma catalysis systems, the single-stage and two-stage configurations are suggested to be more suitable for industrial and indoor air applications, respectively.