Ru-based catalysts for catalytic combustion of high-toxicity Cl-containing volatile organic compounds are inclined to produce Cl2 instead of ideal HCl due to the Deacon reaction. We herein reported that the three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) WOx-supported RuP nanocatalyst greatly improved HCl selectivity (at 400 °C, increased from 66.0% over Ru/3DOM WOx to 96.4% over RuP/3DOM WOx) and reduced chlorine-containing byproducts for 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) oxidation. P-doping enhanced the number of structural hydroxyl groups and Brønsted acid sites. The isotopic 1,2-DCE temperature-programmed desorption experiment in the presence of H218O indicated the generation of a new active oxygen species 16O18O that participated in the reaction. Generally, P-doping and H2O introduction could promote the exchange reaction between Cl and hydroxyl groups, rather than oxygen defects, and then benefit the production of HCl and reduce the generation of other chlorine species or Cl2, via the reaction processes of C2H3Cl → alcohol → aldehyde → carboxylic acids.
Keywords: 1,2-dichloroethane oxidation; HCl selectivity; macroporous tungsten oxide supported ruthenium catalyst; phosphorus doping; water resistance.