Rationally Fabricated Ce–Mn@ZrO₂–SO₄^2– Catalyst Boosts the Efficient Destruction of Chlorobenzene with SO₂ Impurity: Synergy of Surface SO₄^2– and Acidic Sites

The catalytic deactivation caused by SO2 impurity remains a great challenge in the efficient destruction of industrial chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs). Herein, a Ce–Mn@ZrO2–SO42– catalyst with a Ce–O–Mn active system and ZrO2–SO42– protective layer was rationally engineered, which exhibits superior activity for chlorobenzene (CB) and SO2 cotreatment at 228 °C, achieving 90% CB mineralization─over 80% higher than that of the CeO2 catalyst. In situ characterization and theoretical calculation results reveal that the SO42– groups not only inhibit the adsorption of SO2 molecules through steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion but also act as the Brønsted acid sites (BAS) to promote C–Cl cleavage of chlorobenzene (CB) and accelerate the desorption of Cl radicals as inorganic chlorine (HCl and Cl2). Additionally, the…