Heterogeneous Catalytic Oxidation for the Degradation of Aniline in Aqueous Solution by Persulfate Activated with CuFe₂O₄/Activated Carbon Catalyst

Abstract

This work investigated the degradation of aniline in aqueous solution by PMS activated with CuFe 2 O 4 /activated carbon heterogeneous catalyst. Firstly, catalyst which was successfully synthesized by impregnation and calcination process was fully characterized. Next, influences of factors in degradation on this system were explored. Under optimum process conditions, system could achieve TOC removal rate of 87 % in 2 hours. Then the stability of the catalyst was proved. In addition, the synergistic effect between CuFe 2 O 4 and activated carbon was proposed in PMS activation at both low and high concentrations. Furthermore, it was observed that CuFe 2 O 4 /activated carbon could also activate PMS at low concentration. Finally, SO �À 4 was suggested as the main activated species in this system by characterization and analysis. It is concluded that CuFe 2 O 4 /activated carbon catalyst could be used as an effective catalyst to activate PMS for the degradation of aniline.