The design and synthesis of highly active non-noble metal oxide catalysts, such as transition- and rare-earth-metal oxides, have attracted significant attention because of their high efficiency and low cost and the resultant potential applications for the degradation of volatile organic compounds(VOCs). The structure-activity relationships have been well-studied and used to facilitate design of the structure and composition of highly active catalysts. Recently, non-noble metal oxides with porous structures have been used as catalysts for deep oxidation of VOCs, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic compounds, aldehydes, and alcohols, with comparable activities to their noble metal counterparts. This review summarizes the growing literature regarding the use of porous metal oxides for the catalytic removal of VOCs, with emphasis on design of the composition and structure and typical synthetic technologies.
The effect of Zr on the catalytic performance of Pd/y-A1203 for the methane combustion was investigated. The results show that the addition of Zr can improve the activity and stability of Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, which, based on the catalyst characterization （N2 adsorption, XRD, CO- Chemisorption, XPS, CHa-TPR and O2-TPO）, is ascribed to the interaction between Pd and Zr. The active phase of methane combustion over supported palladium catalyst is the Pd^0/Pd^2＋ mixture. Zr addition inhibits Pd aggregation and enhances the redox properties of active phase Pd^0/ Pd^2＋. H2 reduction could effectively reduce the oxidation degree of Pd species and regenerate the active sites （Pd^0/ pd^2＋）.
Adsorption is the most widely used technology for the removal of indoor volatile organic compounds （VOCs）. However, existing adsorbent-based technologies are inadequate to meet the regulatory requirement, due to their limited adsorption capacity and efficiency, especially under high relative humidity （RH） conditions. In this study, a series of new porous clay heterostructure （PCH） adsorbents with various ratios ofmicropores to mesopores were synthesized, characterized and tested for the adsorp- tion of acetaldehyde and toluene. Two of them, PCH25 and PCH50, exhibited markedly improved adsorption capabil- ity, especially for hydrophilic acetaldehyde. The improved adsorption was attributed to their large micropore areas and high micropore-to-mesopore volume ratios. The amount of acetaldehyde adsorbed onto PCH25 at equilibrium reached 62.7 mg. g-l, eight times as much as the amount adsorbed onto conventional activated carbon （AC）. Even at a high RH of 80%, PCH25 removed seven and four times more of the acetaldehyde than AC and the unmodified raw PCHs did, respectively. This new PCH optimized for their high adsorption and resistance to humidity has promising applications as a cost-effective adsorbent for indoor air purification.
Silver-loaded MnO_2 nanomaterials（Ag/MnO_2）,including Ag/α-MnO_2,Ag/β-MnO_2,Ag/γ-MnO_2and Ag/δ-MnO_2 nanorods,were prepared with hydrothermal and impregnation methods.The bactericidal activities of four types of Ag/MnO_2 nanomaterials against Escherichia coli were investigated and an inactivation mechanism involving Ag~＋ and reactive oxygen species（ROS）was also proposed.The bactericidal activities of Ag/MnO_2 depended on the MnO_2 crystal phase.Among these nanomaterials,Ag/β^-MnO_2 showed the highest bactericidal activity.There was a 6-log decrease in E.coli survival number after treatment with Ag/β^-MnO_2 for120 min.The results of 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-N-oxide spin-trapping measurements by electron spin resonance indicate OH and O_2^- formation with addition of Ag/β-MnO_2,Ag/γ-MnO_2 or Ag/δ-MnO_2.The strongest peak of OH appeared for Ag/β-MnO_2,while no OH or ·O_2^-signal was found over Ag/α-MnO_2.Through analysis of electron spin resonance（ESR） and Ag＋elution results,it could be deduced that the toxicity of Ag~＋ eluted from Ag/MnO_2 nanomaterials and ROS played the main roles during the bactericidal process.Silver showed the highest dispersion on the surface of β-MnO_2,which promoted ROS formation and the increase of bactericidal activity.Experimental results also indicated that Ag/MnO_2 induced the production of intracellular ROS and disruption of the cell wall and cell membrane.
Lian WangHong HeChangbin ZhangLi SunSijin LiuShaoxin Wang
