Benzene oxidation with ozone over supported manganese oxide catalysts: Effect of catalyst support and reaction conditions

Catalytic oxidation of gaseous benzene with ozone was carried out over supported manganese oxides to investigate the factors controlling the catalytic activities. The rate for benzene oxidation linearly increased with the surface area of catalyst, regardless of the kinds of catalyst support, whereas the ratio of ozone decomposition rate to benzene oxidation rate was larger for SiO₂-supported catalyst than Al₂O₃-, TiO₂-, and ZrO₂-supported catalysts. The rate for benzene oxidation and CO_x selectivity increased with the reaction temperature (22-100 °C) and were improved by the addition of water vapor to reaction gases. Benzene conversion and carbon balance increased with ozone concentration.