Acetone and ethanol vapor oxidation via negative atmospheric corona discharge over titania-based catalysts

The paper is devoted to the oxidation of acetone and ethanol vapors by means of an optimized negative atmospheric corona discharge combined with TiO₂-based catalysts located in a post-plasma position. A series of studied samples includes CuO-MnO₂/TiO₂, CuO/TiO₂ and MnO₂/TiO₂ with 3 wt% of copper oxide and 6.8 wt% of manganese oxide. Experiments were performed at room temperature in a closed 404-L chamber with a ∼0.9-L active plasma region. It was shown that the use of the catalysts can provide a significant reduction in the concentrations of ozone and oxidation byproducts and a three-fold increased conversion of the reactants. It was unexpectedly found that copper oxide, as an active agent, did not significantly change the effect of post-plasma-located TiO₂. The manganese-containing sample was found to be the best catalyst at the conditions considered. The presence of this catalyst in the post-plasma position inhibits the formation of unwanted products (O₃ and CO) and promotes the deep oxidation of acetone and ethanol with increased selectivity toward CO₂.