Catalytic Activity of Cu/SBA‐15 for Peroxidation of Pyridine Bearing Wastewater at Atmospheric Condition

Abstract

In this study, Cu‐loaded Santa Barbara amorphous (SBA)‐15 catalysts were synthesized by impregnation method and further used for catalytic wet peroxidation (CWPO) of pyridine from aqueous solution using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The synthesized catalysts have been characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area: temperature‐programmed reduction, H2‐chemisorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Characterization results indicate good dispersion of Cu species inside the porous structure of SBA‐15. The effect of various parameters such as Cu loading on SBA‐15, pH, catalyst dose, H2O2 concentration, and temperature have been studied for their effect on CWPO of pyridine. More than 97% pyridine removal and 92% total organic carbon removal was achieved at optimum condition. Cu/SBA‐15 showed stable performance during reuse for six cycles with negligible copper leaching. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2577–2586, 2013