Interface Mechanisms of Catalytic Ozonation with Amorphous Iron Silicate for Removal of 4-Chloronitrobenzene in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Iron silicate was synthesized and characterized as an efficient ozonation catalyst. Results indicated that iron silicate is a microporous material with poor crystallinity. Fe-O-Si and Fe-O bonds were observed on its surface. The Fe-O bonds belonged to α-Fe₂O₃. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation test was performed in batch reaction mode, and 4-chloronitrobenzene was used as model organic compounds. Amorphous iron silicate exhibited high catalytic activity, ozone utilization efficiency, and stability in catalytic ozonation. Hydroxyl radical was the dominant oxide species in this process. The reaction mechanism at the solid-water interface indicates that Fe-Si binary oxides on iron silicate surface inhibited ozone futile decomposition. This behavior resulted in enhanced probability of the reaction between ozone and α-Fe₂O₃ on the iron silicate surface to generate hydroxyl radicals, which promoted 4-chloronitrobenzene removal in aqueous solution.