Heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of phenol for wastewater treatment using Ruthenium Catalyst

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysts of ruthenium were prepared by impregnation on activated carbon and ZSM-5 and were used to degrade phenol in the presence of peroxymonosulphate (PMS). The ruthenium based catalysts were characterised by several techniques such as XRD, SEM, and N2 adsorption. It was found that Ru-AC is highly effective in heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulphate to produce sulphate radicals resulting in higher reaction rate compared with Ru-ZSM5. Degradation efficiency of phenol follows the order of Ru-AC > Ru-ZSM5 at all reaction conditions due to higher surface area and pore volume of Ru-AC. Degradation efficiency of phenol could be achieved at 100% of phenol degradation and 70% of TOC removal in 1 hour. It was also found that phenol degradation is strongly influenced by amount of catalyst loading, phenol concentration, oxidant concentration and temperature. Kinetic study proved that the pseudo firts order kinetics would fit to phenol oxidation.