LAUSR

ZrO2 nanotube arrays and their supported bimetallic platinum and ruthenium (PtxRuy/ZrO2; x + y = 1 mmol%, x/y = 1:0, 0.9:0.1, 0.8:0.2, 0.7:0.3, 0.5:0.5, 0:1) nanocomposites were fabricated by taking SBA-15-OH as a hard template and by the impregnation method, respectively. A controlled ordered nanotube array structure formed from the fabricated catalysts, and they showed a good performance for toluene oxidation. The specific physicochemical properties of the catalysts were examined through diverse analytical means. The PtxRuy/ZrO2 possesses a high surface area, and the Pt-Ru nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly on the ZrO2 nanotube surface. The Pt0.7Ru0.3/ZrO2 catalyst performed best among all the samples, with T90% and T100% (temperatures for 90% and 100% conversion of toluene) of 140 °C and 160 °C, respectively, at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 36000 ml/(h∙g). These bimetallic catalysts exhibit excellent characteristics for toluene oxidation, showing at the higher turnover frequencies (TOFs) and the lower apparent activation energy (Ea) values, which probably results from the synergistic effect of the Pt-Ru noble metals that lead to a high reducibility and oxygen-adsorption capacity. The excellent activity, stability, and economics of the Pt0.7Ru0.3/ZrO2 catalyst could allow for its application in toluene removal.