High-Performance Pd Cluster Catalyst Modified with N-Doped Carbon for Multicomponent VOCs Oxidation

The paint production sector emits both aromatic compounds and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs). Supported palladium catalysts have demonstrated effective oxidation performance for each type of VOCs separately; however, the challenge persists in managing the competitive adsorption of different VOCs types on Pd-based catalysts. In this study, we developed a nitrogen-doped carbon (NC)-modified TiO₂-supported catalyst featuring a highly dispersed, cluster-type Pd structure created through in situ pyrolysis method, which offers more catalytic active sites than conventional nanoparticle catalysts. The catalyst's key characteristics, including high noble-metal usage and an ideal Pd⁰/Pd²⁺ ratio, enhance its catalytic performance for multicomponent VOCs oxidation, reaching T_90% values of 167 and 191 °C (at a space velocity of 40,000 mL/(g h)). Furthermore, the NC structure created through in situ pyrolysis technique aids in diminishing the inhibitive adsorption effect of ethyl acetate on o-xylene and improves the catalyst's resistance to water. This research presents a promising approach for the rational design of highly dispersed Pd catalysts that have enhanced water resistance and offers new understanding in managing competitive adsorption for the efficient removal of multicomponent aromatic VOCs and OVOCs in complicated settings.