Deactivation and reactivation of noble metal catalysts tested in the Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation of phenol

Ceria and doped-ceria supported platinum and ruthenium catalysts were tested at 160 °C for the Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation of phenol. This work focused on the catalyst deactivation phenomenon caused by the formation of a carbonaceous layer during the oxidation reaction. Its degradation is favoured when cerium simple oxide is used as the support phase. Ex situ oxidative treatment, with diluted oxygen, revealed to degrade efficiently adsorbed compounds, thus leading to a total recovery of activity.