Enhanced decomposition of CF4 by a composite material upcycled from acid-modified red mud and γ-Al2O3

CF 4 , is a highly potent greenhouse gas emitted by the electrolytic aluminum industry, with a global warming potential 7390 times that of CO 2 . Its urgently necessary to effectively control and decompose it. Alumina industry is the upstream of electrolytic aluminum industry, from which the red mud (RM) generated should be recycled. In this study, the decomposition performance of CF 4 was improved by loading γ-Al 2 O 3 on hydrochloric acid-treated RM. Under optimal conditions (reaction temperature of 650 °C, WHSV of 1500 h −1 , and material dosage of 1 g), the decomposition efficiency of Al 1 HRM 2 for CF 4 reached 85 %. Compared with the unmodified acid-treated RM (HRM), the conversion rate and stability were significantly improved. The results of NH 3 -TPD, Py-IR and XPS indicated that acid treatment and addition of γ-Al 2 O 3 significantly increased the Lewis acid site and medium-strong acid site of Al 1 HRM 2 . During the reaction, CF 4 adsorbs and dissociates at the strongest Lewis acid site (Al Ⅲ ), forming an intermediate (CF 2 O) and CO 2 to achieve the decomposition of CF 4 . In comparison with existing decomposition techniques, the method proposed here avoids the generation of corrosive HF, while also promoting the development of a greener aluminum industry and the formation of high-value fluorides.