Immobilization and characterization of Fe(0) catalyst on NaOH-treated coal fly ash for catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol

Abstract

In this study, coal fly ash (CFA), i.e., an industrial waste product created in large quantities by thermoelectric power plants, was treated with sodium hydroxide to afford a novel Fe (0) catalyst supported on alkaline-treated CFA. The NaOH-treated CFA (NCFA) exhibited a morphological change from slick spheres to pointed, leaf-like spheres, which was accompanied by a noticeable increase in specific surface area from 1.2 to 7.5 m2/g. Sequential addition of an Fe(III) precursor and NaBH4 solution to a suspension of NCFA resulted in the formation of Fe (0) particles on the surface of NCFA (Fe/NCFA). The catalytic activity of Fe/NCFA toward the reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) was examined; among the Fe/NCFAs synthesized from different NCFAs (1, 3, and 7 M NaOH), the Fe/3 M NCFA sample displayed the highest activity owing to the highest Fe content on its surface, without leaching any toxic heavy metals. In addition, the effects of NaBH4 concentration, Fe loading, and catalyst dosage on the catalytic reduction of p-NP by Fe/NCFA were comprehensively investigated. Finally, the recyclability and stability of Fe/NCFA were examined, demonstrating the complete reduction of p-NP over four continuous recycling cycles. The present results demonstrate the marked potential of CFA as a component in reactive catalysts for the removal of environmental pollutants from wastewater.