Optimization of photothermal conversion and catalytic sites for photo-assisted-catalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds.

Solar energy conversion is a promising strategy to enhance the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and minimize power consumption. Herein, non-noble metal WC@WO as cocatalyst was composited with CeO to optimize photochemical and photothermal conversion for the catalytic ozonation of toluene and acetone. The photothermal conversion efficiencies of visible and infrared lights on 20%WC@WO-CeO were 2.2 and 10.4 times higher than those on CeO, respectively, which indicates that the equilibrium temperature of the catalyst remarkably increased under full-spectrum light irradiation. Moreover, WC@WO transferred electrons to CeO in 20%WC@WO-CeO and thus remarkably improved the activity of catalytic sites. The synergy factor of light and O on 20%WC@WO-CeO was 5.8, and the reaction rate of toluene and acetone reached 9274.5 and 35779.0 mg/(m∙min), respectively. This work provides a low-cost and high-efficient catalyst for the utilization of solar energy for VOC control.