Acidic Transition Metal Oxide Catalyst for Stable Organic Decomposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic substance decomposition systems face challenges in achieving high efficiency and stability due to low decomposition rates and serious leaching of surface active sites, particularly when using non-reducible transition metal oxides under electrical or non-electrical conditions.

Innovation Solution

A catalyst system utilizing non-reducible transition metal oxides with reduced surfaces and functionalized with NO3−, H3-APO4A−, or SO42− groups, dispersed in acidic aqueous solutions or supported on substrates, generates radicals like ·OH, NO3·, H3-APO4(A-1)·−, and SO4·− through hydrogen peroxide homolysis and radical transfer mechanisms, avoiding leaching and enhancing decomposition efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-reducible transition metal oxides are used as catalysts, then catalyst stability is improved, but decomposition rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoiddecomposition rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of non-reducible transition metal oxides through reduction treatment and functional group introduction. The surface reduction creates oxygen vacancies and changes the electronic structure, while functional groups (NO3-, H3-APO4A-, SO42-) are introduced to enhance radical generation capability. These parameter changes enable the catalyst to maintain stability while improving decomposition rate by facilitating hydrogen peroxide homolysis and radical transfer mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If catalyst operations are extended, then productivity is improved, but catalyst performance deteriorates due to leaching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational durationVSAvoidcatalyst performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the problematic reducible metal components from the catalyst surface through selective dissolution or stabilization methods. By extracting the leachable metal species while retaining the structural framework of non-reducible transition metal oxides, the catalyst maintains its stability over extended operations without suffering from active site leaching. This enables prolonged productivity while preserving catalyst performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If surface active sites are increased, then decomposition efficiency is improved, but leaching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecomposition efficiencyVSAvoidsurface active sites
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining non-reducible transition metal oxides with stable functional groups (nitrate, phosphate, sulfate) and reducing surfaces to create a composite catalyst structure. This composite approach increases the number of stable surface active sites that can facilitate decomposition reactions while the non-reducible nature of the base oxide prevents leaching. The functional groups are anchored to the oxide surface, creating a stable composite that maintains high decomposition efficiency without active site loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system significantly improves the decomposition of recalcitrant/toxic organic substances by producing radicals with high efficiency, maintaining catalyst performance over multiple operations, and avoiding leaching, thus increasing the catalyst's life and decomposition efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a significant amount of ·OH can be supplied by the heterogeneous catalysis-based heterolysis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (H2O2→OH−+·OH+e−; e−: electron) or the homolysis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (H2O2→·OH+·OH)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomolysis:

Implementation Method 2

the non-electrical conditions in the present disclosure are characterized by including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or ozone (O3), which is a precursor of ·OH radicals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical generation:

Implementation Method 3

The generated M(n+1)+ is reduced to Mn+ (e− reduction: M(n+1)++e−→Mn+) by the abundant electrons (e−) in the reaction solution and may be reused for heterolysis of hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron reduction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20260008702A1Catalyst for decomposing organic matter and system for decomposing organic matter comprising the same
Publication Date: 2026.01.08 UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
  • US20260008702A1 patent drawing
  • US20260008702A1 patent drawing
  • US20260008702A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments relate to a catalyst for decomposing organic substances and a system for decomposing organic substances including the same, and specifically, to an electrical or non-electrical organic substance decomposition system for efficient decomposition of toxic or recalcitrant organic substances, including: 1) at least one of the following four types of transition metal oxide particles: non-reducible transition metal oxide particles, surface-reduced non-reducible transition metal oxide particles, non-reducible transition metal oxide particles containing at least one of NO3−, H3-APO4A− (A=1-3), and SO42− functional groups, and surface-reduced non-reducible transition metal oxide particles containing at least one of NO3−, H3-APO4A− (A=1-3), and SO42− functional groups; and 2) an aqueous electrolyte solution having a pH of less than 2 and containing an acid.