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

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.