Ceria dispersed on carbon materials for the catalytic ozonation of sulfamethoxazole

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Alexandra Gonçalves (Author) FEUP; José Melo Orfão (Author) FEUP; Manuel Fernando R Pereira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Vol. 1

Pages: 260-269

ISSN: 2213-3437

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 32 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-DZ4

DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2013.05.009

Abstract (EN): Two catalysts containing ceria dispersed on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and activated carbon were prepared and characterized by several techniques. They were investigated as ozonation catalysts for the mineralization of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Both materials enhanced the mineralization of SMX relatively to single ozonation. A strong synergetic effect between carbon materials and ceria was observed, leading to higher mineralization degrees. In the catalytic ozonation with these materials both surface and bulk reactions occur. The efficiency of catalysts was mainly affected by the amount of Ce3+ species on the surface. The presence of carbon materials containing ceria led to a faster degradation of pyruvic and maleic acids. The original sulfur of SMX was almost completely converted to sulfate and part of nitrogen was converted to NH4 + and NO3 -. Microtox tests revealed that simultaneous use of ozone and the prepared catalysts originated lower acute toxicity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific