Investigation of Potential of Mn-Doped C60, Si60 and Al30P30 Nanocages to Oxidize the Formaldehyde to CO2.

The formaldehyde (HCHO) is produced from building materials and it can cause illness and cancer in human. The oxidation of HCHO is acceptable pathway for HCHO purification to protect the human health. The catalytic activity of Manganese (Mn) doped carbon nanocage (Mn-C₆₀), Mn doped silicon nanocage (Mn-Si₆₀) and Mn doped aluminum phosphide nanocage (Mn-Al₃₀P₃₀) as effective catalysts for oxidation of HCHO to carbon dioxide (CO₂) are investigated. The acceptable mechanisms for oxidation of HCHO to CO₂ on surfaces of Mn-C₆₀, Mn-Si₆₀ and Mn-Al₃₀P₃₀ nanocages as catalysts are examined. Results shown HCHO is oxidized to CO₂ on Mn-C₆₀, Mn-Si₆₀ and Mn-Al₃₀P₃₀ nanocage surfaces thought two acceptable mechanisms: (1) HCHO → HHCOO → HCOO → HCO → CO → CO₂ and (2) HCHO → HHCOO → HCOO → CO₂. The rate-limiting steps of pathways 1 and 2 are HCOO → HCO and HCHO → HHCOO. The metal doped nanocages (Mn-C₆₀, Mn-Si₆₀ and Mn-Al₃₀P₃₀) have excellent potential to development the patheways of HCHO oxidation with high performance. The results have proposed that the new strategy to increase enhance the catalytic ability of metal doped nanocages (Mn-C₆₀, Mn-Si₆₀ and Mn-Al₃₀P₃₀) for HCHO oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]