Wet hydrogen peroxide catalytic oxidation of phenol with FeAC (iron-embedded activated carbon) catalysts

摘要

This investigation aims at exploring the catalytic oxidation activity of iron-embedded activatedncarbon (FeAC) and the application for the degradation of phenol in the wet hydrogen peroxidencatalytic oxidation (WHPCO). FeAC catalysts were prepared by pre-impregnating iron in coconutnshell with various iron loadings in the range of 27.5 to 46.5% before they were activated.nThe FeAC catalysts were characterised by measuring their surface area, pore distribution,nfunctional groups on the surface, and X-ray diffraction patterns. The effects of iron loadingnstrongly inhibited the pore development of the catalyst but benefited the oxidation activitynin WHPCO. It was found that the complete conversion of phenol was observed with all FeACncatalysts in oxidation. High level of chemical oxygen demand (COD) abatement can be achievednwithin the first 30 minutes of oxidation. The iron embedded in the activated carbon showed goodnperformance in the degradation and mineralisation of phenol during the oxidation due to thenactive sites as iron oxides formed on the surface of the activated carbon. It was found that thenembedding irons were presented in g-Fe2O3, a-Fe2O3, and a-FeCOOH forms on the activatedncarbon. The aging tests on FeAC catalysts showed less activity loss, and less iron leachingnwas found after four oxidation runs.