Noble metal free, CeO2/LaMnO3 hybrid achieving efficient photo-thermal catalytic decomposition of volatile organic compounds under IR light

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2019-01, Vol.240, p.141-152
• Main Authors: Li, Juan-Juan, Yu, En-Qi, Cai, Song-Cai, Chen, Xi, Chen, Jing, Jia, Hong-Peng, Xu, Yi-Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CeO2/LaMnO3; IR light; Mars-van Krevelen; Photo-thermocatalysis; VOCs
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2018.08.069

[Display omitted] •Noble metal free CeO2/LaMnO3 exhibits ultrabroadband strong light absorption.•Efficient IR light photo-thermocatalysis of VOCs over CeO2/LaMnO3 is achieved.•Good low temperature reducibility and high oxygen mobility benefit the activity.•The maximum photo-thermal conversion efficiency is able to reach 15.2%.•Toluene oxidation reaction on CeO2/LaMnO3 follows Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. Large amounts of anthropogenic VOCs emissions give rise to photochemical smog and ground-level ozone. Currently, catalytic oxidation for VOCs elimination still requires energy-intensive high temperatures. Light-driven photo-thermocatalysis oxidation of VOCs holds great promise to substantially reduce energy consumption for sustainable development in comparison with conventional thermal-based catalytic oxidation. Herein, CeO2/LaMnO3 composite, featuring the broad light wavelength absorption (800∼1800 nm), can be used as a highly active photo-thermal responsive catalyst on VOCs decomposition under IR irradiation. The maximum photo-thermal conversion efficiency is able to reach 15.2% with a significant toluene conversion of 89% and CO2 yield of 87% under IR irradiation intensity of 280 mW/cm2, together with excellent stability of nearly 30 h. Comparative characterizations reveal that such photo-thermal catalytic activity enhancement is predominantly attributed to the synergistic effects of ultrabroadband strong light absorption, efficient light-to-heat conversion, good low temperature reducibility and high lattice oxygen mobility, originating from an intense interaction of LaMnO3 with CeO2. Toluene oxidation reaction on CeO2/LaMnO3 catalyst proceeds via a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism as evidenced by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy.