Synthesis and characterization of Pt/Al2O3-CeO2 nanocatalyst used for toluene abatement from waste gas streams at low temperature: Conventional vs. plasma-ultrasound hybrid synthesis methods

To assess the synergism effect of plasma and ultrasound treatment on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of supported-Pt nanocatalysts, a series of nanostructured Pt(1 wt.%)/Al2O3-CeO2(30 wt.%) were prepared by plasma and/or ultrasound-assisted impregnation methods and tested for total oxidation of toluene. The nanocatalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, FTIR, EDAX and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements. Based on the characterization results, ultrasound-plasma treatment endowed the sample with more uniform, tunable and smaller nano particle size, leading to modified adsorption properties; and more homogenous dispersion. The results of catalytic tests indicate that the lowest temperature catalytic activity and the best catalytic performance with high stability were achieved over plasma-ultrasound assisted synthesized nanocatalyst. It was found to be the most proper choice for the complete oxidation of toluene, exhibiting the approximately complete oxidation at 180 °C.