Catalytic Effect of Copper on Ozonation in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

ABSTRACT Catalytic effects of cupric ion (Cu2+) and zero-valent copper (Cu0) on ozonation in aqueous solution were discussed in this research using 1,4-dioxane as a radical probe. Ozonation with Cu0 enhanced 1,4-dioxane removal, whereas Cu2+ had no catalytic effect. Two initiation steps were proposed for the catalytic effect of Cu0; the corrosion of Cu0 by oxygen and ozone and a one-electron redox reaction of Cu0 with ozone. The former produced cuprous ion (Cu+) and the latter produced both Cu+ and ozonide ion (O3˙−). Hydroxyl radicals (HO˙) was generated by the reaction of Cu+ with ozone and protonation of O3˙−.