Catalytic removal of toluene from air streams by cobalt oxide supported on sepiolite

Abstract

Removal of toluene using cobalt oxide supported on sepiolite catalysts was investigated. Deposition precipitation method was used to prepare the catalysts. The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller methods. The results of catalytic testing showed that 20% cobalt oxide/sepiolite (Co20/Sep) had higher catalytic activity for degradation of toluene. A temperature of 400 °C was found to be the optimum calcination temperature for Co20/Sep, since it achieved 90% toluene conversion at about 300 °C. The results showed that the selectivity of the catalysts towards CO2 was complete and no byproducts were detected. Stability tests also indicated that Co20/Sep remains stable at 320 °C with complete conversion of toluene after 24 h. In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed sepiolite-supported cobalt oxide catalyst as an efficient catalyst for degradation of toluene.