The performance and reaction pathway of δ-MnO2/USY for catalytic oxidation of toluene in the presence of ozone at room temperature

In this work, a series of δ-MnO2/USY with different contents of δ-MnO2 (0.3 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 10.0 wt%, and 15.0 wt%) were prepared. In addition, their performances of the adsorption of toluene, degradation and mineralization of toluene, and removal of ozone (O3) were investigated. The results showed that, among all the samples, 3.0 wt% δ-MnO2/USY displayed the best performance of toluene adsorption, degradation and mineralization. Furthermore, according to the in situ DRIFTS and GC-MS analysis, the intermediate by-products during the toluene degradation progress were ascertained and the possible pathway of catalytic oxidation toluene by δ-MnO2/USY in the presence of O3 was proposed. A series of δ-MnO2/USY with different contents of δ-MnO2 (0.3 wt%, 1.5 wt%, 3.0 wt%, 10.0 wt%, and 15.0 wt%) were prepared successfully using hydrothermal method. Among all the samples, 3.0 wt% δ-MnO2/USY shows the strongest capacity for toluene adsorption, degradation and mineralization. According to the chemical bond energy, the possible pathway of catalytic oxidation toluene by δ-MnO2/USY in the presence of O3 was proposed. [Display omitted] •A series of δ-MnO2/USY with different contents of δ-MnO2 were prepared successfully.•3.0 wt% δ-MnO2/USY shows the strongest capacity for toluene degradation.•The major by-product generation pathway is: C6H5–CH3.→C6H5CH2–OH→C6H5CHO→C6H5COOH.