Facile Method to Create PdCe–MnO x Catalyst for Decomposing O3 under Humidity Conditions

Manganese oxides are one of the most promising candidates for ambient decomposition of O3. However, catalysts with high efficiency require complicated preparation processes to cultivate active microstructures. This study developed a simple and easy to scale up method to produce catalysts via thermal annealing of Mn precursor. With slight addition of Ce and Pd, the obtained PdCe–MnO x catalyst exhibited excellent O3 removal activity in the presence of water vapor. Numerous characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, mapping, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, H2-temperature-programmed reduction, O2-temperature-programmed desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, were applied to explore the relationship between activity and structure. The slight addition of Pd and Ce not only boosts the formation of surface vacancy species but also enhances the water vapor resistance, all of which contribute to its excellent ozone decomposition performance.