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.

Lattice-Plane-Dependent Distribution of Ce at Pt and CeO Interfaces for Pt/CeO Catalysts.

The interaction between a metal and a support, which is known as the metal-support interaction, often plays a determining role in the catalytic properties of supported metal catalysts. Herein, we have developed model Pt/CeO catalysts, which enabled us to investigate the interface atomic and electronic structures between Pt and the {001}, {011}, and {111} planes of CeO using scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. We found that the number of Ce ions around the Pt nanoparticles followed the order {001} > {011} > {111}, which was the opposite order of the generally accepted stability of low index surfaces of CeO.

Recent trends in phenol synthesis by photocatalytic oxidation of benzene.

Phenol is an important intermediate for manufacturing chemical products in industry. In recent decades, phenol synthesis by one-pot oxidation of benzene has aroused tremendous interest in phenol synthesis due to the enormous energy consumption of the three-step cumene method in the industry. Photocatalysis is promising for the selective conversion of benzene to phenol because it can proceed under mild reaction conditions.

Catalytic degradation of benzene over non-thermal plasma coupled Co-Ni binary metal oxide nanosheet catalysts.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been demonstrated as one of the promising technologies that can degrade volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under ambient condition. However, one of the key challenges of VOCs degradation in NTP is its relatively low mineralization rate, which needs to be addressed by introducing catalysts. Therefore, the design and optimization of catalysts have become the focus of NTP coupling catalysis research.

Direct identification of the charge state in a single platinum nanoparticle on titanium oxide.

A goal in the characterization of supported metal catalysts is to achieve particle-by-particle analysis of the charge state strongly correlated with the catalytic activity. Here, we demonstrate the direct identification of the charge state of individual platinum nanoparticles (NPs) supported on titanium dioxide using ultrahigh sensitivity and precision electron holography. Sophisticated phase-shift analysis for the part of the NPs protruding into the vacuum visualized slight potential changes around individual platinum NPs.

Improved and Reduced Performance of Cu- and Ni-Substituted CoO Catalysts with Varying Co/Co and Co/Co Ratios for the Complete Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs.

The CoO spinel is one of the most promising transition metal oxide (TMO) catalysts for volatile organic compound (VOC) treatment. Substituting effects have usually been utilized to improve the catalytic performance of the CoO spinel. In this study, Cu- and Ni-substituted CoO catalysts derived from mixed metal-organic frameworks (MMOFs) retained similar spinel structures but exhibited improved and reduced performance for -xylene oxidation, respectively.

Atomic and Electronic Structure of Pt/TiO Catalysts and Their Relationship to Catalytic Activity.

Understanding the nature of the interaction between a metal and support, which is known as the metal-support interaction, in supported metal catalysts is crucial to design catalysts with desired properties. Here, we have developed model Pt/TiO catalysts based on the deposition of colloidal Pt nanoparticles and studied their atomic and electronic structures before and after a postdeposition treatment that induces catalytic activity using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations. Direct contact between Pt nanoparticles and TiO is realized after the postdeposition treatment, which is accompanied by the formation of a Ti state on the TiO surface close to the Pt nanoparticles and a Pt state on the Pt nanoparticles.

Enhanced catalytic performance of spinel-type Cu-Mn oxides for benzene oxidation under microwave irradiation.

Microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of benzene was investigated over Cu-Mn spinel oxides. The spinel oxides were synthesized by a coprecipitation method from metal nitrate hydrolysis in a solution using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) as a precipitation reagent. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and H-temperature-programmed reduction studies.

Catalytic activity of porous manganese oxides for benzene oxidation improved via citric acid solution combustion synthesis.

Various manganese oxides (MnO) prepared via citric acid solution combustion synthesis were applied for catalytic oxidation of benzene. The results showed the ratios of citric acid/manganese nitrate in synthesizing process positively affected the physicochemical properties of MnO, e.g.

Removal of benzene by non-thermal plasma catalysis over manganese oxides through a facile synthesis method.

Three manganese oxide catalysts (MnO) were synthesized via a simple method, and then they were introduced into the non-thermal plasma (NTP) system for benzene removal. The XRD and EXAFS results showed the MnO were mainly in the MnO phase, and from the analysis of N adsorption/desorption isotherms, we knew the MnO calcined at 250 °C (Mn250) had the largest surface area of 274.5 m g.

SOx Tolerant Pt/TiO2 Catalysts for CO Oxidation and the Effect of TiO2 Supports on Catalytic Activity.

We developed a new technique for mitigating catalyst deactivation caused by SO2 in exhaust gases. A series of 0.1 wt %-Pt/TiO2 catalysts with different surface, crystal, and pore structures were prepared and tested for CO oxidation activity in the presence of SO2 and H2O.

Relationship between cation arrangement and photocatalytic activity for Sr-Al-Nb-O double perovskite.

The relationship between the photocatalytic activity and the arrangement of metal cations was investigated with Sr-Al-Nb-O double perovskite (SAN) synthesized at 1400 °C for various calcination times using a solid state reaction. Transmission electron microscopic observation revealed that SAN particles had a domain structure of completely B-site ordered (Sr(2)AlNbO(6)) and disordered (SrAl(0.5)Nb(0.

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%.

Benzene oxidation with ozone over supported manganese oxide catalysts: effect of catalyst support and reaction conditions.

Catalytic oxidation of gaseous benzene with ozone was carried out over supported manganese oxides to investigate the factors controlling the catalytic activities. The rate for benzene oxidation linearly increased with the surface area of catalyst, regardless of the kinds of catalyst support, whereas the ratio of ozone decomposition rate to benzene oxidation rate was larger for SiO(2)-supported catalyst than Al(2)O(3)-, TiO(2)-, and ZrO(2)-supported catalysts. The rate for benzene oxidation and CO(x) selectivity increased with the reaction temperature (22-100 degrees C) and were improved by the addition of water vapor to reaction gases.

In situ XAFS studies of Au particle formation by photoreduction in polymer solutions.

Formation mechanisms of metal particles (gold (Au) particles) in an aqueous ethanol solution of HAuCl4 with poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) by the photoreduction method were investigated by UV-vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and in situ and ex situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. The average diameters of the dilute and concentrated Au particles in PVP solution are estimated from TEM to be 106 A and 925 A, respectively. XAFS analysis was carried out to elucidate the reduction process of AuCl4- ionic species to metallic Au particles for the Au-L3 edge of the colloidal dispersions of the concentrated Au solutions.

Preparation of Pt/Rh bimetallic colloidal particles in polymer solutions using borohydride-reduction.

Colloidal dispersions of Pt/Rh bimetallic particles have been synthesized by the reduction of Pt(IV)/Rh(III) ionic solutions by using borohydride-reduction in the presence of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). The size and the structure of the synthesized particles have been examined by transmission electron micrograph (TEM) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). We have succeeded in producing the bimetallic Pt/Rh particles with an average diameter of 2.

Formation mechanism of Pt particles by photoreduction of Pt ions in polymer solutions.

The formation mechanisms of metal particles (platinum (Pt) particles) in an aqueous ethanol solution of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) by the photoreduction method have been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in situ and ex situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. The average diameter of the dilute and concentrated Pt particles in the PVP solution is estimated from TEM to be 2.0 and 2.

Photochemical preparation of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)-stabilized platinum colloids and their deposition on titanium dioxide.

Preparation processes for Pt-deposited TiO(2) (Pt/TiO(2)) by the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles and their deposition were pursued by transmission electron microscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies. Colloidal dispersions of Pt particles stabilized by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) were photochemically synthesized in aqueous ethanol solution. The average diameter of Pt particles was estimated to be 2.

Decomposition of environmentally persistent perfluorooctanoic acid in water by photochemical approaches.

The decomposition of persistent and bioaccumulative perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water by UV-visible light irradiation, by H202 with UV-visible light irradiation, and by a tungstic heteropolyacid photocatalyst was examined to develop a technique to counteract stationary sources of PFOA. Direct photolysis proceeded slowly to produce CO2, F-, and short-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids. Compared to the direct photolysis, H2O2 was less effective in PFOA decomposition.

Improvement of catalyst durability by deposition of Rh on TiO2 in photooxidation of aromatic compounds.

Gas-solid heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic compounds in air was carried out at room temperature with a fixed bed flow reactor. The deposition of Rh on TiO2 catalyst improved the catalyst durability in benzene photooxidation. The Rh deposition reduced the amounts of carbonaceous materials on the catalyst surface that were the cause of catalyst deactivation.

Decomposition of environmentally persistent trifluoroacetic acid to fluoride ions by a homogeneous photocatalyst in water.

Decomposition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was achieved with a tungstic heteropolyacid photocatalyst H3PW12O40*6H2O in order to develop a technique for measures against TFA stationary sources. This is the first example of C-F bond cleavage in an environmentally harmful perfluoromethyl-group-containing compound using a homogeneous photocatalyst. The catalytic reaction proceeds in water at room temperature under UV-visible light irradiation in the presence of oxygen.