Molecular level insights to the interaction of toluene with ZrO2-based biomass gasification gas clean-up catalysts

- Toluene interaction with ZrO2 catalysts was studied by in situ DRIFTS and TP method.
- Toluene adsorption led to molecularly adsorbed toluene, benzyl and benzoate species.
- Benzoate species decomposed into benzene and CO2 in the absence of gas phase oxygen.
- Benzyl species seemed to be the active intermediates in toluene oxidation reaction.