Promotional effect of WO₃ in V₂O₅–WO₃/TiO₂ on low-temperature activity in the catalytic oxidation of 1,2-dichloroethane

Transition metal oxides are promising catalysts for the degradation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). However, their practical applications are limited due to their poor low-temperature (<300 °C) activity. In this study, we introduced WO_x into VO_x/TiO₂ to modulate its redox and acidic properties. We found that the V₂O₅(2 wt%)–WO₃(10 wt%)/TiO₂ (2V10W/TiO₂) catalyst exhibited a 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) conversion of 90 % at 256 °C, which is comparable to that of Ru-based catalysts (DCE conversion of 90 % at 257–340 °C) for the oxidation of DCE. The addition of WO_x into VO_x/TiO₂ gave rise to the formation of labile surface oxygen species and promoted interactions between V and W, which improved the reducibility, oxygen mobility, and Brønsted acidity of the 2V10W/TiO₂ catalyst. These properties of 2V10W/TiO₂ lowered its activation barrier for DCE oxidation and mitigated coke formation and Cl deposition on the catalyst, enhancing the low-temperature activity and long-term stability. The 2V10W/TiO₂ catalyst also exhibited superior resistance to water. This study provides insights into catalytic design for balancing the redox and acidic properties in the catalytic oxidation of CVOCs.