Plasma-catalyst hybrid reactor with CeO2/γ-Al2O3 for benzene decomposition with synergetic effect and nano particle by-product reduction

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) catalyst hybrid reactor with CeO2N-Al2O3 catalyst balls was investigated for benzene decomposition at atmospheric pressure and 30 degrees C. At an energy density of 37-40 J/L, benzene decomposition was as high as 92.5% when using the hybrid reactor with 5.0wt%CeO(2)h-Al2O3; while it was 10%-20% when using a normal DBD reactor without a catalyst. Benzene decomposition using the hybrid reactor was almost the same as that using an O-3 catalyst reactor with the same CeO2N-Al2O3 catalyst, indicating that O-3 plays a key role in the benzene decomposition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that O-3 adsorption on CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 promotes the production of adsorbed O-2(-) and O-2(2-), which contribute benzene decomposition over heterogeneous catalysts. Nano particles as by-products (phenol and 1,4-benzoquinone) from benzene decomposition can be significantly reduced using the CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. H2O inhibits benzene decomposition; however, it improves CO2 selectivity. The deactivated CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst can be regenerated by performing discharges at 100 degrees C and 192-204J/L. The decomposition mechanism of benzene over CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was proposed. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.