Catalytic ozonation assisted by Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 in the degradation of Aniline from aqueous solution: modelling and optimisation by response surface methodology

Abstract

ABSTRACT This work investigated the modelling and optimisation of Aniline degradation using catalytic ozonation with Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 nanocomposite based on the response surface methodology (RSM). The sol-gel method was used to synthesise the magnetic nanoparticleFe3O4@SiO2@TiO2. The catalyst characteristics were analysed by FE-SEM, EDS, XRD, VSM and TEM. Effects of pH, contact time, catalyst loading, Aniline concentration, and radical scavengers on the degradation efficiency of Aniline were evaluated. Results showed that 93.35% removal efficiency of Aniline and 79.3% TOC reduction were obtained by Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2/O3 process under optimised conditions (contact time = 60 min, catalyst loading = 1.7 g/L, pH = 10.0 and concentration of Aniline = 15 mg/L). Results proved that hydroxyl radicals were dominant radical groups for Aniline degradation in the catalytic ozonation process. After eight continuous using cycles, the results indicated that the Aniline removal efficiency decreased to <6%.In brief, the synthesised Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2is a well synthesised, stable, efficacious and reusable catalyst and could be a desirable alternative material for wastewaters treatment containing Aniline.