# Study on the Catalytic Oxidation of Toluene Using CeO2@S-AZMB Prepared from Spent Zn-Mn Batteries

## TL;DR

This study explores a new way to reuse old batteries by combining them with CeO2 to create a catalyst that efficiently removes toluene at lower temperatures.

## Contribution

A novel method of reusing unpurified spent batteries with CeO2 to enhance catalytic performance for toluene oxidation.

## Key findings

- CeO2@S-AZMB achieved 90% toluene conversion at 180 °C, significantly lower than pure CeO2.
- The catalyst maintained structural and thermal stability during cyclic use.

## Abstract

The recycling and utilization of waste alkaline zinc manganese batteries (S-AZMB) has always been a focus of attention in the fields of environment and energy. However, current research mostly focuses on the recycling of purified materials, while neglecting the direct reuse of waste batteries. Here, we propose a new concept of preparing thermal catalysts by combining unpurified S-AZMB with CeO2 by means of ball milling. A series of characterizations and experiments have confirmed that the combination with S-AZMB not only enhances the thermal catalytic activity of CeO2 but also significantly enhances the concentration of surface oxygen vacancies. In the toluene removal experiment, the temperature (T90) at 90% toluene conversions of CeO2@S-AZMB was 180 °C, lower than the 220 °C for CeO2. More noteworthy is that this S-AZMB-based thermal catalyst can maintain a good structure and thermal catalytic stability in cyclic catalysis.