Removal of toluene from air streams by cobalt-copper bimetallic catalysts supported on sepiolite

Abstract

Oxidative removal of toluene using copper and cobalt bimetallic catalysts with varying molar ratios supported on sepiolite was investigated. The catalysts prepared by a deposition precipitation method and were characterized using X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy, H₂-temperature-programmed reduction, transmission electron microscope, and inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The species supported on sepiolite are Co₃O₄, CuO, and CuCo₂O₄. The activities of the tested catalysts increased in the order 0Co-4Cu/Sep <1Co-3Cu/Sep <4Co-0Cu/Sep <1Co-1Cu/Sep <3Co-1Cu/Sep. The latter exhibiting 90% toluene oxidative degradation at 288?°C within 15?h, having high selectivity towards CO₂, and being stable at 300?°C up to 15?h. In conclusion, this study showed that sepiolite has excellent properties as a support.