Highly efficient SF6 degradation solution based on CuO-ZnO with exceptional stability

In this study, CuO-ZnO has been found to decompose sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) with the activity higher than pure metal oxides (e.g. Al 2 O 3 ). After using the organic metal nanocage ZIF-8 as a precursor, the resulting CuO-ZnO particles exhibit uniform nanoscale size and possess an excellent surface area. When these particles are mixed with CaO and reacted with SF 6 at 600 °C and 0.2 MPa, a high SF 6 conversion rate of up to 99 % is achieved, with SO 2 making up about 98 % of the sulfur-containing products. Besides, the reaction demonstrates excellent degradation efficiency and maintains good stability over a continuous 78-hour operation. The results indicate that the CuO-ZnO particles provide abundant active sites that promote SF 6 adsorption and bond cleavage. Meanwhile, CaO helps disperse the CuO-ZnO particles, inhibits sintering, and provides an oxygen source for SO 2 formation, while also facilitating the fixation of fluorine, thereby enhancing both the selectivity and stability of the reaction. In addition, we also found that NH 3 is more conducive to promoting the decomposition of SF 6 by CuO-ZnO, whereas O 2 inhibits the progression of this reaction. Considering the global warming potential and long-term environmental impact of SF 6 , the proposed approach shows high degradation efficiency, excellent stability, and selectivity, contributing to mitigating the negative impact of SF 6 on global climate change.