The potential use of HNO3-treated clinoptilolite in the preparation of Pt/CeO2-Clinoptilolite nanostructured catalyst used in toluene abatement from waste gas stream at low temperature

In this paper, CeO2(30%)/Clinoptilolite was synthesized via HNO3 treatment and co-precipitation methods and then 1% Pt was dispersed over support by ultrasound assisted wet impregnation. The synthesized samples were characterized using XRF, XRD, FESEM, N2 adsorption and FTIR techniques. The obtained results from XRD revealed the main phase in utilized clay is clinoptilolite and also formation of amorphous structure was proved after acid treatment. FESEM micrographs confirmed significant structural changes in clinoptilolite after acid treatment and also formation of ceria nanoparticles. N2 adsorption presented large enough surface area for Pt/CeO2-Clinoptilolite nanostructured catalyst to be used for toluene oxidation. Finally, activity results indicated that synthesized nanostructured catalyst was highly active and stable and could eliminate more than 90% of toluene at 130 °C. Utilizing inexpensive materials in synthesis and assisting ultrasound in dispersion of active phase have made Pt(1%)/CeO2(30%)-Clinoptilolite a nominee to be used for catalytic oxidation of toluene.