Active complexes on engineered crystal facets of MnO_x–CeO₂ and scale-up demonstration on an air cleaner for indoor formaldehyde removal

Crystal facet-dominated surfaces determine the formation of surface-active complexes, and engineering specific facets is desirable for improving the catalytic activity of routine transition-metal oxides that often deactivate at low temperatures. Herein, MnO_x–CeO₂ was synthetically administered to tailor the exposure of three major facets, and their distinct surface-active complexes concerning the formation and quantitative effects of oxygen vacancies, catalytically active zones, and active-site behaviors were unraveled. Compared with two other low-index facets {110} and {001}, MnO_x–CeO₂ with exposed {111} facet showed higher activity for formaldehyde oxidation and CO₂ selectivity. However, the {110} facet did not increase activity despite generating additional oxygen vacancies. Oxygen vacancies were highly stable on the {111} facet, and its bulk lattice oxygen at high migration rates could replenish the consumption of surface lattice oxygen, which was associated with activity and stability. High catalytically active regions were exposed at the {111}-dominated surfaces, wherein the predominated Lewis acid–base properties facilitated oxygen mobility and activation. The mineralization pathways of formaldehyde were examined by a combination of in situ X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry. The MnO_x–CeO₂-111 catalysts were subsequently scaled up to work as filter substrates in a household air cleaner. In in-field pilot tests, 8 h of exposure to an average concentration of formaldehyde after start-up of the air cleaner attained the Excellent Class of Indoor Air Quality Objectives in Hong Kong. Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society.