Investigating the Catalytic Activity of Monoclinic Zirconia; Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol in Aqueous Medium at Mild Conditions

Abstract

Abstract The oxidation/degradation of benzyl alcohol in artificially contaminated water under atmospheric pressure by molecular oxygen/air over ZrO2(m) catalyst was investigated. Monoclinic phase ZrO2 was synthesized and characterized by modern techniques. Oxidation of benzyl alcohol in aqueous medium was carried out in a typical three necked double walled batch reactor equipped with thermometer and condenser. The rate of oxidation was affected by different reaction parameters such as speed of agitation, catalyst loading, temperature, concentration of substrate solution (46.3 – 185 mmol/L) and partial pressure of oxygen. Major products were detected with GC and UV spectrophotometer. Optimal conditions were setup for better catalytic activity of ZrO2(m). To sum up, catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in aqueous medium by ZrO2(m) is a useful and cheaper method for the conversion of benzyl alcohol to valuable products as well as for the removal of benzyl alcohol from industrial waste water.