Photothermal synergistic catalytic oxidation mechanism of toluene by Ce-doped SrTiO3 via one-pot hydrothermal synthesis

[Display omitted] •Ce-doped SrTiO3 catalysts were prepared for toluene photothermal catalysis.•The rate of toluene conversion by Sr0.5Ce0.5TiO3 was up to 95 % at 200 °C.•Ce doping enriched reactive oxygen species on the catalyst surface.•Photothermal synergy enriched surface free radicals to promote toluene oxidation.•Possible photothermal degradation pathways and mechanisms of toluene were proposed. Industrial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions pose significant environmental and human health risks, with photothermal catalysis degradation emerging as a promising VOCs treatment technology. The light response range and catalysis degradation efficiency of photocatalysts, however, need to be improved. This study prepared Ce-doped SrTiO3 perovskite catalysts via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The synergistic photic/thermal degradation mechanism of toluene was uncovered via XPS, Uv–Vis, EPR, and in-situ DRIFTS analysis. It was found that the toluene removal rate and CO2 yield reached their maximums at 200 °C, reaching 95 % and 90 %, respectively, at a Ce doping ratio of 50 %. During the catalytic process, the prerequisite to trigger toluene oxidation, and light promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (·OH and ·O2–), which facilitates the formation of intermediates and thus accelerates the deep oxidation of toluene. The doped Ce increases surface oxygen vacancies while lowering the energy band gap of the catalyst, facilitating the separation of holes and photogenerated electrons. Furthermore, in situ DRIFTS studies demonstrated that toluene undergoes a ring-opening process, producing intermediates such as benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. This study will assist in promoting the use of photothermal synergistic catalytic degradation technology to remove VOCs from industrial sources.