Enhancing catalytic oxidation of benzene with Cu-Doped MnO2: Insights into structural defects and electronic modifications

[Display omitted] •Cu doping enhances α-MnO2 catalytic efficiency for benzene oxidation.•Cu doping generates vacancies and Mn3+, enhancing catalytic adsorption/activation.•Cu-α-MnO2 shows reduced Ea, indicating superior catalytic properties.•Doping optimization is key to achieving efficient benzene conversion. The present research focuses on the role of copper (Cu) doping in enhancing the catalytic efficacy of manganese dioxide (α-MnO2) for benzene oxidation, a representative volatile organic compound (VOC). Despite the abundance and low cost of MnO2, its pristine form requires improvement for industrial VOC oxidation processes. Utilizing a range of characterization methods, the study reveals that Cu doping generates oxygen vacancies and increases the Mn3+ content within the catalyst structure, which are crucial for enhancing the adsorption and activation of reactants. The findings indicate that Cu-doped α-MnO2 exhibits superior catalytic activity and lower activation energy for benzene oxidation compared to the undoped counterpart. The electronic interactions induced by the doping of Cu and the effect on the catalytic process are demonstrated and discussed in depth. This work emphasizes the strategic importance of dopant optimization and contributes to the advancement of MnO2-based catalysts for environmental remediation, aligning with goals of environmental protection and human health safety.