Zirconium/cerium oxide solid solutions with addition of SiO2 as ozone-assisted catalysts for toluene oxidation

• Performance of Zr1 − xCexO2–SiO2 for toluene oxidation using ozone was evaluated.
• Zr0.78Ce0.22O2–SiO2 provided the best results for toluene conversion.
• Zr0.78Ce0.22O2–SiO2 had superior capability to retain the active oxygen species.

Catalytic oxidation of toluene with ozone over Zr1 − xCexO2 solid solutions having a large surface area resulting from SiO2 addition was evaluated. Among the different mixed oxides, Zr0.77Ce0.23O2–SiO2 provided the best results for toluene conversion and CO2 selectivity. In addition, it had superior capability to retain the active oxygen species induced by ozone. The rise in calcination temperature degraded the performance of the catalyst.