Effect of different structure of Cu/Mn catalysts on ozone decomposition ability

Abstract

Abstract A simple co-precipitation method was utilized to synthesize Cu/Mn catalysts with different physiochemical properties for high humidity ozone decomposition. The catalysts were then tested for their activity and stability in decomposing ozone, and their physical and chemical properties were analyzed through various characterization techniques. Furthermore, the characterization after stability testing provided insights into the internal mechanism of the ozone reaction process. The Cu/Mn-NN catalyst demonstrated excellent ozone decomposition activity in the temperature of 25–100°C, maintaining the conversion above 91% for continuous ozone decomposition for 12 hours at room temperature, the relative humidity (RH) of 85%, and the weight space velocity of 300 L·g− 1·h− 1. Characterization revealed that the Cu/Mn-NN catalyst, exhibited the larger specific surface area, better reducibility and oxygen storage capacity, richer surface functional groups and oxygen vacancies. Additionally, characterization after the stability test confirmed the accumulation of oxygen intermediate species on the catalyst surface. The findings also suggested that the catalytic environment created by nitrate precursors played a vital role in preventing catalyst particle aggregation, facilitating electron transfer within the catalyst, ensuring uninterrupted migration of lattice oxygen, and timely regeneration of oxygen vacancies.