Crystallinity of CrO_x/TiO₂Catalysts and Their Activity in TCE Oxidation

Abstract

Titania-supported chromium oxides with different loadings have been embarked in catalytic oxidation of trichloroethylene (TCE) to inquire association of the formation of crystalline Cr2O3 with catalytic performances. A better activity in the oxidative TCE decomposition at chosen temperatures was represented when chromium oxides (CrOx) had been dispersed on pure anatase-type TiO2 (DT51D) rather than on phase-mixed and sulfur-contained ones such as P25 and DT51. The extent of TCE oxidation at temperatures below 350 o C was a strong function of CrOx content in CrOx/DT51D TiO2, and a noticeable point was that the catalyst has two optimal CrOx loadings in which the lowest T50 and T90 values were measured for the TCE oxidation. This behavior in the activity with respect to CrOx amounts could be associated with the formation of crystalline Cr2O3 on the support surface, that is less active for the oxidation reaction, and an easier mobility of the surface oxygen existing in noncrystalline CrOx species with higher oxidation states, such as Cr2O8 and CrO3.