Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs

Recently, research has increasingly focused on the introduction of non-precious metals and developing highly stable carriers to enhance catalyst performance. In this study, we successfully synthesized copper (Cu)-modified biochar catalysts utilizing a sequential approach involving enzymatic treatmen...

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Main Authors: Nan Liu, Jin Zhang, Ya-Lan Cai, Ji-Guo Zhang, Du-Juan Ouyang, Shao-Bo Wang, Qi-Man Xu, Jia-Jun Hu, Di-Ming Chen, Guo-Wen Wang, Ji-Xiang Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/503
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author Nan Liu
Jin Zhang
Ya-Lan Cai
Ji-Guo Zhang
Du-Juan Ouyang
Shao-Bo Wang
Qi-Man Xu
Jia-Jun Hu
Di-Ming Chen
Guo-Wen Wang
Ji-Xiang Li
author_facet Nan Liu
Jin Zhang
Ya-Lan Cai
Ji-Guo Zhang
Du-Juan Ouyang
Shao-Bo Wang
Qi-Man Xu
Jia-Jun Hu
Di-Ming Chen
Guo-Wen Wang
Ji-Xiang Li
author_sort Nan Liu
collection DOAJ
description Recently, research has increasingly focused on the introduction of non-precious metals and developing highly stable carriers to enhance catalyst performance. In this study, we successfully synthesized copper (Cu)-modified biochar catalysts utilizing a sequential approach involving enzymatic treatment, liquid impregnation, and activation processes, which effectively enhanced the dispersion and introduction efficiency of Cu onto the biochar, thereby reducing the requisite Cu loading while maintaining high catalytic activity. The experimental results showed that the toluene degradation of 10%Cu@BCL was three times higher than that of unmodified activated carbon (AC) at 290 °C. A more uniform distribution of Cu was obtained by the enzymatic and activation treatments, optimizing the catalyst’s structural properties and reducing the amount of Cu on the biochar. Moreover, the transformation between various oxidation states of Cu (from Cu<sup>0</sup>/Cu(I) to Cu(II)) facilitated the electron transfer during the degradation of toluene. To further understand the catalytic mechanisms, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to elucidate the interactions between toluene molecules and the Cu-modified biochar surface. These findings reveal that the strategic modification of biochar as a carrier not only enhances the dispersion and stability of active metal species but contributes to improved catalytic performance, thereby enhancing its degradation efficiency for VOCs in high-temperature conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-d55f20e7cbc447e590d4b96bf79375ae2025-08-20T02:21:49ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-06-0113650310.3390/toxics13060503Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCsNan Liu0Jin Zhang1Ya-Lan Cai2Ji-Guo Zhang3Du-Juan Ouyang4Shao-Bo Wang5Qi-Man Xu6Jia-Jun Hu7Di-Ming Chen8Guo-Wen Wang9Ji-Xiang Li10Department of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaZhejiang Qiushi Environmental Monitoring Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310000, ChinaShanghai Key Laboratory of Bio-Energy Crops, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaDepartment of Material and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, ChinaYuyao Branch of Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Ecological and Environment, Ningbo 315400, ChinaShanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200120, ChinaRecently, research has increasingly focused on the introduction of non-precious metals and developing highly stable carriers to enhance catalyst performance. In this study, we successfully synthesized copper (Cu)-modified biochar catalysts utilizing a sequential approach involving enzymatic treatment, liquid impregnation, and activation processes, which effectively enhanced the dispersion and introduction efficiency of Cu onto the biochar, thereby reducing the requisite Cu loading while maintaining high catalytic activity. The experimental results showed that the toluene degradation of 10%Cu@BCL was three times higher than that of unmodified activated carbon (AC) at 290 °C. A more uniform distribution of Cu was obtained by the enzymatic and activation treatments, optimizing the catalyst’s structural properties and reducing the amount of Cu on the biochar. Moreover, the transformation between various oxidation states of Cu (from Cu<sup>0</sup>/Cu(I) to Cu(II)) facilitated the electron transfer during the degradation of toluene. To further understand the catalytic mechanisms, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to elucidate the interactions between toluene molecules and the Cu-modified biochar surface. These findings reveal that the strategic modification of biochar as a carrier not only enhances the dispersion and stability of active metal species but contributes to improved catalytic performance, thereby enhancing its degradation efficiency for VOCs in high-temperature conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/503VOCscatalytic oxidation technologycopperbiochar
spellingShingle Nan Liu
Jin Zhang
Ya-Lan Cai
Ji-Guo Zhang
Du-Juan Ouyang
Shao-Bo Wang
Qi-Man Xu
Jia-Jun Hu
Di-Ming Chen
Guo-Wen Wang
Ji-Xiang Li
Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
Toxics
VOCs
catalytic oxidation technology
copper
biochar
title Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
title_full Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
title_fullStr Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
title_full_unstemmed Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
title_short Modification of Biochar Catalyst Using Copper for Enhanced Catalytic Oxidation of VOCs
title_sort modification of biochar catalyst using copper for enhanced catalytic oxidation of vocs
topic VOCs
catalytic oxidation technology
copper
biochar
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/503
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