Optimization of photothermal conversion and catalytic sites for photo-assisted-catalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds

Solar energy conversion is a promising strategy to enhance the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and minimize power consumption. Herein, non-noble metal WC@WO3 as cocatalyst was composited with CeO2 to optimize photochemical and photothermal conversion for the catalytic ozonation of toluene and acetone. The photothermal conversion efficiencies of visible and infrared lights on 20%WC@WO3-CeO2 were 2.2 and 10.4 times higher than those on CeO2, respectively, which indicates that the equilibrium temperature of the catalyst remarkably increased under full-spectrum light irradiation. Moreover, WC@WO3 transferred electrons to CeO2 in 20%WC@WO3-CeO2 and thus remarkably improved the activity of catalytic sites. The synergy factor of light and O3 on 20%WC@WO3-CeO2 was 5.8, and the reaction rate of toluene and acetone reached 9274.5 and 35779.0 mg/(m3 center dot min), respectively. This work provides a low-cost and high-efficient catalyst for the utilization of solar energy for VOC control.