Hollow ZSM-5 zeolite encapsulating Pt nanoparticles: Cage-confinement effects for the enhanced catalytic oxidation of benzene

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-04, Vol.292, p.133446-133446, Article 133446
• Main Authors: Tian, Jian, Tan, Kok Bing, Liao, Yichen, Sun, Daohua, Li, Qingbiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzene; Catalysis; Nanoparticles; Noble metal catalyst; Pt nanoparticles; Volatile organic compounds; Zeolites; Zeolitic cage
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133446

A zeolitic cage was introduced and rationally fabricated by encapsulating Pt nanoparticles (NPs) in hollow ZSM-5, a nanomaterial with a cavity and porous shell, for efficient catalytic oxidation of benzene. The structure and formation of the zeolitic cage were systematically investigated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen sorption investigations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The obtained hollow 0.2 Pt@ZSM-5 exhibited a comparable low-temperature catalytic activity with 0.5Pt/ZSM-5 with T90 value of 178 °C. Various characterization techniques combined with adsorption experiments uncover the tremendous role of the zeolitic cage in the catalytic activity toward benzene oxidation. The porous shell prevented benzene dilution and the acidity originating from the hollow interior of ZSM-5 promoted the storage of benzene, thereby forming a high local concentration of benzene around Pt NPs, resulting in excellent catalytic performance. These findings provide valuable insights into the rational design of efficient catalysts for the catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds. [Display omitted] •Pt nanoparticles were encapsulated in zeolitic cage with porous shell and cavity.•The T90 of benzene oxidation over Hollow 0.2 Pt@ZSM-5 was 178 °C.•The porous shell of Hollow Pt@ZSM-5 prevented benzene dilution.•The acidity originating from Hollow Pt@ZSM-5 promoted the storage of benzene.