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Magnetic Fenton and Photo-Fenton-Like Catalysts Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Wastewater Treatment

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Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized by the catalytic decomposition of methane were used as the support for magnetic Fenton and photo-Fenton catalysts to treat real wastewater contaminated with dyes and Escherichia coli. The effect of methane flow, the use of diluent (N2), and the reaction time in the production of CNTs were studied. An increase in the production of CNTs with increased CH4 flow and a decrease over the reaction time were recorded. Catalysts with 1, 3, and 5% w/w Fe were obtained and characterized by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Multi-walled CNTs and bamboo-like carbon nanofibers with average diameters of 44.0 nm and average lengths of 237.0 nm were obtained. The catalysts had Fe x O y (oxide species) crystallite sizes between 10 and 18 nm and soft ferromagnetic properties. A factorial 33 design was used for selecting variables for the catalytic tests, wherein the concentration of H2O2, the catalyst mass, and the percentage of iron were evaluated. Subsequently, kinetic experiments were performed. The photo-Fenton process (5% Fe, 200 mg, and 0.4 M H2O2) showed the best results in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) abatement, discoloration, and E. coli inactivation without leaching of Fe.

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Acknowledgements

C. Daza appreciates the funding for the project DIB code 27355 from Universidad Nacional de Colombia that permitted the complete characterization of the CNTs. The authors thank the Instituto de Ciencia de los Materiales de la Universidad de Sevilla for conducting TEM observations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Biotecnología Ambiental e Industrial, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia

    Julián C. García & Aura M. Pedroza

  2. Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, D.C, Colombia

    Carlos E. Daza

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  1. Julián C. García
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  2. Aura M. Pedroza
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  3. Carlos E. Daza
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Correspondence to Carlos E. Daza.

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Research Highlights

• A parametric study of the synthesis of carbon nanotubes from methane was developed.

• Carbon nanotube production reached 4.54 ± 0.24 g(gcat h)−1 at 700 °C/2 h.

• Carbon nanotubes were the support for magnetic Fenton and photo-Fenton catalysts.

• Real wastewater contaminated with dyes and E. coli was treated.

• Results reached the total inactivation of E. coli without leaching of Fe ions.

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García, J.C., Pedroza, A.M. & Daza, C.E. Magnetic Fenton and Photo-Fenton-Like Catalysts Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for Wastewater Treatment. Water Air Soil Pollut 228, 246 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3420-7

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