Novel Promising 3-D Mesoporous Metal Oxides Sorbent/Catalyst with Volatile Organic Compounds Elimination Ability

Novel mesoporous oxides of Cu, Cr, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr and Ce were successfully prepared by neutral templating route in a mixed organic medium using triblock copolymer and metal nitrate or acetate as the template and inorganic source, respectively. These materials have 3-D cubic arrangement of mesopores with semi-crystalline walls. The materials showed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal ability, with Cr oxide showing exceptionally high performance. Under ambient conditions the materials act as selective sorbents for VOCs, whereas at higher temperature they act as an effective and selective deep oxidation catalysts. Results suggest that these mesoporous oxides are promising for air-purification applications.