Oxidation of VOCs on a highly stabilized furfuryl alcohol-based activated carbon supported nickel oxide catalyst

Biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol precursor-based activated carbon beads dispersed with NiO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and used as an efficient catalyst for oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). [Display omitted] •FA-based in situ metal oxide-dispersed activated carbon beads were synthesized.•The material showed a high BET surface area and graphitic characteristics.•NiO-PFA/C/A indicated to be an efficient catalyst for VOC oxidation at 500 °C.•An optimum loading (8.6% w/w) of NiO achieved the maximum VOC conversion. Conversion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and xylene to less harmful CO2 and H2O via catalytic oxidation over the metal oxide-impregnated activated carbon beads is a viable solution for controlling emission of the pollutants. The poly(furfuryl) alcohol (PFA) precursor-based carbon beads (∼0.8 mm) were synthesized via suspension polymerization. The metal-salt was in situ dispersed in the polymerization reaction mixture, and PFA-supported Ni was carbonized (C) and steam activated (A). Decomposition of toluene (∼2000 ppm) and xylene (∼400 ppm) at 500 °C over the supported metal oxide catalysts followed the trend: NiO > CoO > CuO > FeO. Approximately 8.5% (w/w) NiO loading showed the highest VOC decomposition rate. The present results revealed that NiO-PFA/C/A was stable under the experimental VOC oxidation reaction conditions, and is an efficient oxidation catalyst for controlling VOC emissions under a continuous operation.