Insights into the Pyrolysis Processes of Ce-MOFs for Preparing Highly Active Catalysts of Toluene Combustion

Abstract

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently been used as precursors of the catalysts for the combustion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the present work, three kinds of CeO2 catalysts were successfully synthesized from Ce-MOF-808, Ce-BTC, and Ce-UiO-66, with specific topological structures and coordinate environments. Catalysts with small particle size, stacking mode, and structural defects could be created by pyrolysis of Ce-MOFs, which affects the activity in the toluene combustion significantly. Raman spectra, XPS, and OSC studies were performed to reveal the formation of defect sites. The thermal redox properties were determined by H2-TPR. Catalytic activity tests were conducted on the toluene combustion, and CeO2-MOF-808 showed the best catalytic performance (T90 = 278 °C) due to its having the largest specific surface area, abundant active surface oxygen species, and low-temperature reducibility.