Catalytic Performance of Supported Bimetallic Catalysts for Complete Oxidation of Toluene.

The complete oxidation of toluene (as a model volatile organic compound) was studied to determine the influence of adding a transition metal (Mn, Cr, Fe, Co, and Ni) to the 5 Cu/Al catalyst. The physcochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE/TEM), and hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). The catalytic activity of the supported bimetallic catalysts followed the order: 5Cu-5Mn/Al > 5Cu-5Cr/Al > 5Cu-5Fe/Al > 5Cu-5Co/Al > 5Cu > 5Cu-5Ni/Al, based on the temperature for T90 of toluene conversion (T90). Two different reaction mechanisms (mixing and the synergistic effect) were operative in the supported bimetallic catalysts except for the 5Cu-5Mn/Al and 5Cu-5Ni/Al catalysts, on the basis of the reaction temperature. The difference between the electronegativity of copper and the added transition metal was associated with the catalytic activity.