Role of metals loaded on a TiO2 surface in the oxidation of xylene in air using an electron beam irradiation/catalytic process Original Research Article

Catalytic oxidation of xylene in air was performed under electron beam (EB) irradiation using pure TiO2 as well as TiO2 loaded with Ag, Pt, Au, or Mn to clarify the role of loaded metal in the enhancement of oxidation of xylene and its irradiation byproducts to CO2 in EB-induced non-thermal plasmas. EB irradiation experiments were performed with the catalyst bed placed in both irradiated and non-irradiated spaces. The highest conversion percentage of decomposed xylene to CO2 was obtained by irradiation/catalytic oxidation using an Ag/TiO2 bed placed in a non-irradiated space. The greater enhancement of CO2 production on an Ag/TiO2 pellet surface compared to that on other metal-loaded TiO2 pellet surfaces was due to the synergetic effect of strong adsorption of the byproducts on the Ag loaded on TiO2 and production of active oxygen from decomposition of O3 in the presence of Ag.