Efficient removal of HCHO from simulated coal combustion flue gas using CuO-CeO2 supported on cylindrical activated coke

•CuCe/AC displayed excellent conversion of HCHO from simulated flue gas.•NO and SO2 exhibited slight inhibitive effects on HCHO removal with 6% O2.•There was synergy between Cu and Ce species on HCHO removal.•Increasing information on HCHO removal mechanism of Cu3Ce8/AC was achieved.

To achieve novel sorbent-catalysts with low cost and high activity for removing HCHO in flue gas, we prepared and investigated CuO-CeO2 supported on activated coke granules (CuCe/AC) for decomposition of gaseous formaldehyde (HCHO) from simulated coal combustion flue gas. The results indicated that Cu3Ce8/AC exhibited remarkable conversion performance and good stability for HCHO removal. The presence of NO and SO2 exhibited a slight inhibitive effect on HCHO removal in the presence of 6% O2. The physicochemical properties of CuCe/AC were also studied by combination of N2 adsorption/desorption, SEM, XRD, H2-TPR, XPS and FT-IR. The excellent conversion property of Cu3Ce8/AC was related to the high surface area, large pore volume, high dispersion of copper species, good adsorption capacity and great redox ability of metal oxides. Besides, the synergy between Cu and Ce species improved the mobility of activated oxygen species and the content of chemisorption oxygen, which facilitated the conversion of HCHO greatly. FT-IR results suggested that adsorbed HCHO on the samples surface was oxidized into intermediates, which could be further decomposed into H2O and CO2 by the surface active oxygen of Cu3Ce8/AC. Along with the advantages of Cu3Ce8/AC, it would be a promising material for the removal of HCHO in real industrial application.

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