Synergistic Effect of Nitric Acid Modified and Cu(II)-Loaded Activated Carbon on Catalytic Ozonation

Abstract

The surface properties and performance of activated carbon (AC) used for catalytic ozonation were investigated after nitric acid modification (N-AC) and Cu (II)-loaded (N-Cu-AC). The results showed that the nitric acid modification could increase the amount of surface functional groups of AC. As a result, the adsorption capacity and catalytic activity of AC could be improved. The surface functional groups and Cu (II)-loaded of N-Cu-AC showed a synergistic effect on catalytic ozonation, where the catalytic activity of Cu (II)-loaded was more stable. N-Cu-AC was an effective and reusable catalyst for catalytic ozonation. The highest TOC removal efficiency of 58.0% could be achieved when N-Cu-AC was used for 60 min-catalytic ozonation treatment of acid red 3R.