Biomorphic fibrous catalysts for the oxidation of soot and VOCs

M. RODRIGUEZ; V.G. MILT; E.E. MIRÓ; E. GAIGNEAUX

Cardiff, Gales

Congreso; 9th World Congress on Oxidation Catalysis: Oxidation for a Sustainable Future and Clean Environment.; 2022

The world is facing a unique challenge regarding climate change: the search for cleaner technologies and, in the meantime, more efficient mitigation of environmental pollutants. Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) fall in this category, and they pose a serious threat for living beings and global warming. Soot is mostly emitted from diesel engine exhaust gases and was chosen as a representative PM for this study. On the other hand, benzene was selected, as an aromatic type of VOC. The aim of this work is to create fibrous catalysts that can abate both pollutants mentioned.One topic that has been of relevance in recent years is the use of biotemplates as a starting point for the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts. Mother Nature provides us with very sophisticated morphologies that can be retained when the template is removed. This biomorphic method does not require endless steps of preparation nor solvents, it is economical, environmentally friendly and waste free.