Effect of ultrasound irradiation and Ni-loading on properties and performance of CeO2-doped Ni/clinoptilolite nanocatalyst used in polluted air treatment

•The beneficial utilization of HCl-activated natural zeolite in nanocatalyst synthesis.•Synthesis of Ni/CeO2–clinoptilolite by impregnation and sonochemistry techniques.•Enhancement of nanocatalyst characterizations by sonochemistry techniques.•Enhancement of toluene removal over sonochemistry synthesized Ni/CeO2–clinoptilolite.•High stability of the sonochemically synthesized Ni/CeO2–clinoptilolite nanocatalyst.

In this research nanocatalysts containing 5, 10 and 15 wt.% of Ni, dispersed by sonication over CeO2–clinoptilolite composite support were compared toward total oxidation of toluene. Their catalytic performance at different temperatures between 150 and 350 °C was studied based on the oxidative destruction of toluene. The results indicated that the activity of Ni/CeO2–clinoptilolite nanocatalyst for toluene oxidation increased from 33 to 44% at 250 °C by employing sonochemical method in synthesis of catalyst. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity was also improved when Ni content was increased from 5 to 10 and 15 wt.%. With the aid of several characterization techniques like XRD, FESEM, PSD, EDX, BET and FTIR, the correlation between nanocatalyst structure and its activity was addressed. It is indicated that sonochemical method can lift the catalytic activity due to the better dispersion of catalyst active components and also higher surface area. Among sonicated samples, 15 wt.% Ni nanocatalyst showed the highest toluene oxidation due to the better dispersion of catalyst active components and hence to more effective catalytic sites.

Graphical abstractIn this study, nanocatalysts containing 5, 10 and 15 wt.% of Ni dispersed by sonication method over CeO2–clinoptilolite composite were compared toward toluene oxidation. Their catalytic performance at different temperatures (150–350 °C) is studied based on the oxidative destruction of toluene. The results indicate that the catalytic activity of Ni/CeO2–clinoptilolite on toluene oxidation is enhanced from 33 to 44% at 250 °C when synthesis method is changed from impregnation to sonochemical method. Meanwhile, the catalytic activity is also improved when Ni content is increased from 5 to 10 and 15 wt.%. Sonochemical method can increase the catalytic activity due to the better dispersion of catalyst active components and higher surface areas according to XRD, FESEM and EDX results.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (267 K)Download as PowerPoint slide