Hydrophobic modification of zeolite-supported platinum catalysts for complete oxidation of toluene

Zeolite-supported noble metal nanoparticles have been reported as active catalysts for complete oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the combination of advantages of zeolite supports and noble metal species, where introducing more Al species (reduction of SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, SAR) and increasing hydrophobicity for zeolite supports are favorable for the complete oxidation of VOCs. Unfortunately, introduction of more Al species in the zeolite frameworks normally reduces the hydrophobicity of zeolite crystals. To overcome this problem, we rationally synthesize hydrophobic zeolites with low SAR by anchoring methyl group, exhibiting exceptionally catalytic performances in the complete oxidation of toluene at very low temperature (T90 at 144 °C) after loading Pt species (1 wt%). Characterizations of the catalysts show a vital role of hydrophobic zeolites for adsorption of more toluene and fast desorption of water. The strategy for preparation of hydrophobic zeolite-supported noble metal catalysts might offer an alternative way to develop highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the complete oxidation of VOCs in the future.