Catalytic Materials for Low Concentration VOCs Removal through “Storage-Regeneration” Cycling

Compared with other approaches for the removal of VOCs, the concept of “storage-regeneration” cycling is proposed as an effective and promising way to eliminate low-concentration indoor VOCs. A key issue in this approach is the design of catalytic materials which should possess balanced properties between storage and regeneration. The materials used for the storage of VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene should not only possess high and selective VOC storage capacity, but also be easily regenerated without any release of the VOCs or generation of secondary pollutants. To this end, appropriate regeneration methods have been proposed, including thermal regeneration, plasma (nonthermal plasma) oxidation or ozone enabled regeneration. In this short review, these essential features of the cycled “storage-regeneration” concept for VOC destruction are considered and the prospects for the implementation of this technology are assessed.