Preparation of Fe-Co-ZSM-5 Bimetal Catalysts with Different Alternate Metal Inclusions for Catalytic Removal of VOCs from Air

The catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been studied in a series of bimetal (Fe-Co)-incorporated ZSM-5 zeolites. The bimetal incorporation was varied. The first sample was prepared by an in situ hydrothermal synthesis method (named IHT) in which both metals were added simultaneously during gel formation. The second sample was made by preparing Fe-ZSM-5 in situ and then impregnated with Co (named FIC), while the third sample was the reverse of the second sample (Co-ZSM-5 impregnated with Fe; named CIF). The objective was to find a method that yields a catalyst with high activity towards complete removal and oxidation of VOCs and is stable. All three synthesized catalysts were thoroughly characterized by modern instrumental methods, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis, and BET surface area. From the results, it is clear that the IHT sample has the best characteristics for the removal of VOCs and is more stable.