Advanced nanostructured catalysts
for removal of volatile organic compounds from polluted air
Nataša Novak Tušar*,1,2
1
National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2
University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main class of air pollutants,
emitted from various industrial processes. Catalytic oxidation is one of the most
efficient processes for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from
polluted air. The advanced VOC removal process is composed of adsorption unit
followed by catalytic incinerator. Recently, many efforts have been made to
design combined adsorption-catalytic unit with optimal activity and selectivity.
Transition metal oxides immobilised on a suitable support are a low-cost
alternative to currently used noble metal-containing catalysts. The nature of the
support and the method of immobilisation are critical as the surface area and
functionality determine the nature and dispersion of the metal oxide
nanoparticles and thence their catalytic activity. Mesoporous silica supports have
been of particular interest because of their high specific surface areas. We have
recently demonstrated the nature and reducing properties of copper oxide
nanoparticles and found that these are influenced by the peculiarity of silica with
interparticle mesoporosity and the presence of a second metal (iron) in the silica
matrix 1,2,3. An overview of the development of nanostructured catalyst with
superior activity for removal of VOCs from polluted air will be presented.
M. Popova, A. Ristić, K. Lazar, D. Maučec, M. Vassileva, N. Novak Tušar,
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M. Popova, A. Ristić, M. Mazaj, D. Maučec, M. Dimitrov, N. Novak Tušar,
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M. Rangus, M. Mazaj, M. Popova, A. Ristić, N. Novak Tušar, 2014, in
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