Catalytic oxidative decomposition of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the presence of hydrocarbons

Abstract
The catalytic oxidative decomposition of CFCs containing two carbon atoms was investigated in the presence of hydrocarbons (C1–C4 alkanes) over silica and various acidic metal oxides. It was found that CFC-115 was the most difficult to be decomposed among CFC-113, CFC-114, and CFC-115, and that γ-alumina was the most active catalyst. The CFC-115 conversion over γ-alumina was lower in the presence of methane than in the presence of the other hydrocarbons. In addition, the activities of γ-alumina-supported metal and metal oxide catalysts were investigated for the oxidative decomposition of CFC-115 in the presence of n-butane. Tungsten (VI) oxide and vanadium (V) oxide catalysts exhibited the highest activity.