The effect of Ce on catalytic decomposition of chlorinated methane over RuOx catalysts

•RuO2 catalysts highly dispersed on Ce-Al2O3 were prepared by wet impregnation.•Ru/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts present high activity and stability for CH2Cl2 combustion.•The removal of Cl species from catalyst surface is promoted by surface oxygen.•High stable activity can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of acidity and high oxygen mobility. Ru oxide catalysts supported on Ce-Al2O3 with various Ce contents were prepared by wet impregnation with RuCl3 aqueous solution and characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, TEM/HRTEM, H2-TPR, Raman and NH3-TPD. The catalytic combustion of dichloromethane (DCM) was investigated over the Ru/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts at first time. The Ru/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts present an outstanding catalytic activity. Ru/7%Ce-Al2O3 catalyst is most active, and DCM is converted completely at 270°C. At 250°C, the conversion of DCM over the Ru/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts with 3% or higher Ce contents keeps constant within 1000h. High stable activity of the Ru/Ce-Al2O3 catalysts can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of acidity and high oxygen mobility.