Sulfate modification CeO2: A strategy for SF6 photocatalytic degradation.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is extensively employed in high-voltage electrical equipment due to its exceptional dielectric properties, yet its potent greenhouse effect and extreme chemical inertness demand efficient abatement strategies. This study presents sulfate-modified ceria (CeO2) photocatalysts designed to activate robust S-F bonds through surface Brønsted acid sites. Sulfate groups anchored on CeO2 polarize SF6 molecules and facilitate photogenerated electron injection into antibonding orbitals, enabling reductive bond cleavage under mild conditions. The optimized 0.5SCe catalyst achieves an SF6 degradation amount of 7.41 mL g-1 within 24 h under 365 nm LED irradiation, representing a 10.4-fold enhancement over pristine CeO2. The catalyst maintains stable performance across consecutive cycles and 96 h of continuous operation. This surface acidity engineering strategy offers a sustainable pathway for controlling fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions.