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Designing new catalysts to control atmospheric emissions of volatile organic pollutants

Aggett, Kieran 2022. Designing new catalysts to control atmospheric emissions of volatile organic pollutants. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
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Abstract

The design of metal oxide and novel supported precious metal catalysts were investigated for the control of volatile organic pollutants, by method of total oxidation. CeO2 based metal oxide catalysts were prepared by a precipitation method to assess the influence of cerium precursor on resultant catalyst characteristics. The precipitate formation was related to varying physiochemical properties of the catalyst, which was then associated to the catalytic activity for the total oxidation of model VOCs. Catalytic activity for propane and naphthalene total oxidation was shown to improve when a CeO2.H2O precipitate was formed. The investigation of catalyst testing conditions was also carried out. Following this, the improvement of catalytic activity was investigated by producing mixed metal oxide catalysts containing CeO2. CeFeOx mixed metal oxide catalysts were prepared and the impact of cerium precursor, in addition to the ratio of the metals, was assessed for propane and naphthalene total oxidation. Concurrent trends were identified when using the different cerium precursors; however, the production of the mixed metal oxide system showed limited activity compared to the single metal oxide catalysts. The addition of dopants to a CeZrOx based catalyst was also investigated, to assess the impact on the total oxidation of propane and naphthalene VOCs. The addition of small quantities of transition metal dopants improved activity for both VOCs, with Fe and Cu dopants presenting the best activity. The preparation of precious metal catalysts, supported on a novel silica support were investigated for the simultaneous total oxidation of a VOC mixture, commonly used to simulate ‘cold start pollutants’ in engines. The increased concentration of Pt nanoparticles on the catalyst surface were correlated with enhanced oxidation for propene, toluene and CO pollutants.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Date Type: Completion
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Chemistry
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 4 May 2022
Last Modified: 04 May 2022 10:00
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/149506

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