Catalytic performance of Nb2O5 modified Ru/CeO2 for dichloromethane oxidation

1 wt% Ru/5 wt% Nb2O5/CeO2 (RuNbCe) catalyst was synthesized via the incipient wetness impregnation method, and measured for the catalytic oxidation of dichloromethane (DCM). The physicochemical properties of catalysts were determined used various characterization techniques. Compared with 1 wt% Ru/CeO2, 5 wt% Nb2O5/CeO2, CeO2, 1 wt% Ru/xNb2O5/CeO2 (x = 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 3 wt%) and 1 wt% Ru/yMOn/CeO2 (M = Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Cu; y = 5 wt%), the addition of 5 wt% Nb2O5 obviously improved the catalytic performance of 1 wt% Ru/CeO2, with the T90% and apparent activation energy (Ea) being 287 oC and 43.5 kJ/mol, respectively, and less formation of polychlorinated byproducts at space velocity (SV) = 15,000 mL g-1 h-1. The RuNbCe catalyst showed good thermal and hydrothermal stability, as well as HCl-resistance performance. We deduced that the higher oxidation performance of the RuNbCe catalyst may be attributed to the suitable acidic sites, good redox capacity, high surface adsorbed oxygen species concentration, and the strong interaction among Ru, Nb2O5 and CeO2. The RuNbCe catalyst has the potential to be applied for the elimination of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs).