Synergistic effects of Ag-MnO_x/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-MnO_x/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-MnO_x/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.