Degradation of Chlorobenzene in Water Using Nanoscale Cu Coupled with Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

In this research, the microwave (MW) energy is used to generate heat directly inside the nanoscale copper particles that are suspended in aqueous chlorobenzene (CB) solution. The heat will reduce CB activation energy so that the CB can be more efficiently decomposed by the heat generated. Because the copper particle surface has pointed protuberances, more MW energy can be absorbed to result in higher solution temperature and lower CB activation energy. Laboratory results indicate that without MW irradiation, the CB solution temperature varies from 25 to 60°C with 19.5 to 41.3% removal of CB that has 21.4 kJ/mol activation energy. In the presence of 250-W MW, the CB activation energy is reduced to 15.8 kJ/mol, and the CB removal efficiency is raised by 1.8 times. Using MW energy to generate heat directly in nanoscale copper particles suspended in aqueous CB solution for reducing the activation energy of CB and enhancing its removal is a novel and efficient method for treating toxic organic substances.