Removal of nonyl phenol ethoxylates in water by catalytic ozonation in presence of silica supported - cobalt nanoparticles

Abstract

The catalytic ozonation of nonionic surfactant nonylphenolethoxylate (NPE) as pollutant in wastewater and its degradation in the presence of silica-supported Cobalt oxide nanoparticles was studied. Characterization of silica supported- cobalt oxide was made using XRD patterns and SEM profiles. The influence of pH, initial NPE concentration, ozonation time and catalyst contents in ozonation process was also investigated. Results show that NPE removals by using silica supported-cobalt oxide catalytic systems are higher than that of using single ozonation. About 99% NPE were removed within 10 min at 30oC. Furthermore, in this condition more than 50% of total carbon of NPE was mineralized.