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.