Enhanced toluene degradation using Co 3 O 4 nanorods in post plasma catalysis

This study focuses on the synthesis and application of Co 3 O 4 nanorods in post plasma catalysis (PPC) for toluene degradation. Results show that the addition of catalyst significantly improves the efficiency of the PPC system. Using non-thermal plasma (NTP) alone, O 3 was produced and successfully used to completely oxidize toluene. Moreover, the system exhibits higher carbon dioxide selectivity and significantly reduces the production of VOCs and NOx. The nanorod structure of the catalyst plays a critical role in its remarkable performance due to the high surface area and more catalytic sites for reaction. Analysis of toluene degradation at various input powers showed complete oxidation at 40 W. These results indicate that the combination of cobalt oxide nanorods and NTP post plasma catalysis is a practical approach to lowering toluene and other unwanted secondary pollutants. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of Co 3 O 4 nanorods as an effective catalyst for PPC systems in the treatment of volatile organic compounds.