Heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of organic compounds by hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The mixture of hydrogen peroxide and iron oxide (goethite, α-FeOOH) particles was investigated as a potential chemical oxidant for treatment of waters contaminated with synthetic organic pollutants. The oxidation rate of a model organic compound, n-butyl chloride (BuCl) was measured by laboratory experiments at various dosages of hydrogen peroxide and iron oxide particles and pH and alkalinity conditions. The oxidation rate of BuCl was correlated with decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide. The stoichiometric ratio and the optimum chemical dosages were established for oxidation of BuCl. The results indicated that BuCl was oxidized effectively by hydroxyl radical generated from the interaction of hydrogen peroxide with FeOOH particles. The oxidation rate remained independent of the solution pH and alkalinity. Therefore, this heterogeneous oxidation process promises to be more effective than other radical processes including O3/UV, H2O2/O3, H2O2/UV and H2O2/Fe+2 which are adversely affected by varying pH and high alkalinity levels.