Highly efficient complete oxidation of dilute benzene over ultrafine Cu0.1Ce0.5Zr0.4O2−δ catalyst in a fluidized bed reactor

Ultrafine Cu0.1Ce0.5Zr0.4O2−δ catalyst operated in a fluidized bed reactor was found to be very effective for complete oxidation of dilute benzene in air. The complete conversion of benzene could be achieved at reaction temperature as low as 220 °C. The mechanism of benzene oxidation over the Cu0.1Ce0.5Zr0.4O2−δ catalyst was investigated by conducting pulse reaction of pure benzene in the absence of O2 over the catalyst and the results indicated the involvement of lattice oxygen from the catalyst in benzene oxidation.