Catalytic decomposition of CF₄ over copper promoted mesoporous catalysts

A series of mesoporous catalysts (MCM-41) promoted by copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared by the co-precipitation method and tested for the decomposition of carbon tetrafluoride (CF4). The addition of copper oxide nanoparticles to MCM-41 led to an improvement in the catalytic activity for CF4 decomposition. The catalyst was the most active around 5 wt% copper oxide added to MCM-41. Methods of X-Ray Powder Diffractometer, Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, BET, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the MCM-41 catalysts. The analytical results indicated that the addition of over 2 wt% copper oxide nanoparticles increased the surface area of MCM-41, which was the rate-determining factor of CF4 decomposition over MCM-41 catalyst. In conclusion, the addition of copper oxide was responsible for the enhancement of catalytic activity of MCM-41.