Synergistic effects of Ag-MnOx/CeO2 for improved benzene oxidation and chlorine tolerance.

Benzene emissions from industrial processes are a significant target for catalytic oxidation. Additionally, VOC emissions often contain heteroatoms such as chlorine, which can deactivate noble metal-based catalysts. The development of a cost-effective, environmentally friendly noble metal-based catalyst that resists chlorine poisoning is crucial. While Ag-based catalysts offer advantages in terms of cost and activity, Ag0 nanoparticles as active centers can be easily poisoned by chlorine. To address this challenge, we introduced a ternary catalyst of Ag-MnOx/CeO2, which combines support modification with MnO2 and Ag active center modification to Ag2O. The synergistic interaction among these components promotes the formation of Ag2O species, significantly enhancing the benzene oxidation performance. Moreover, the combination of Ag2O and MnO2 imparts strong resistance to chlorobenzene poisoning. Through characterization, performance testing, and theoretical analysis, Ag-MnOx/CeO2 demonstrated superior benzene oxidation and chlorine resistance compared with Ag/CeO2 catalysts. This study provides a promising avenue for developing more efficient and sustainable catalysts to address the pressing issue of VOC removal and mitigate chlorine poisoning in noble metal catalysts.