Preparation of Highly Selective RuNb/Co3O4-Supported Catalysts and Their Catalytic Combustion Performance for 1,2-Dichloroethane

Ru-modified Co₃O₄ catalysts have attracted increasing attention in the catalytic combustion of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) due to the8ir excellent activity and better resistance to chlorine poisoning. However, the formation of various and toxic polychlorinated byproducts is still a critical problem to be solved in the process of catalytic combustion of CVOCs. Herein, a series of RuXNb/Co catalysts with different Nb to Co₃O₄ mass ratios were synthesized and investigated for their performance in the catalytic combustion of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC). Consequently, the Ru/Co catalyst exhibited excellent EDC elimination activity with a temperature of conversion of 90% (T₉₀) at 255 °C. In addition, RuXNb/Co catalysts significantly decreased the generation of byproducts, especially the polychlorinated byproducts, and achieved high selectivity of products during the EDC oxidation. It was further discovered that the loading of Ru species could obviously activate surface lattice oxygen and enhance the reducibility of Co₃O₄ through the strong interaction between Ru species and Co₃O₄. The introduction of Nb species provided appropriate acid sites on the catalyst surface, which was favorable for the adsorption of EDC and activation of C–Cl bonds. The results indicated that a unique reflux method and niobium modification provided a strategy for designing CVOC oxidation catalysts with high activity and product selectivity.