Plasma-Driven Catalysis Process for Toluene Abatement: Effect of Water Vapor

Plasma-driven catalysis (PDC) was used to remove toluene in air. Water vapor is a critical operating parameter in this process. Its effect on toluene removal efficiency, carbon balance, CO
₂
selectivity, and outlet O
₃
concentration was systematically investigated. Results showed that water vapor imposed negative effect on toluene decomposition since it depressed the formation and catalytic decomposition of O
₃
. Water vapor deposited on the catalyst would cover the catalytic active sites, resulting in the deactivation of the catalyst. There was an optimum water vapor content for the highest carbon balance and CO
₂
selectivity. The present paper sheds some insight into the effect of water vapor and provides a valuable basis for the application of the PDC technology.