Catalytic ozonation performance and surface property of supported Fe 3O 4 catalysts dispersions

Fe 3O 4 was supported on mesoporous Al 2O 3 or SiO 2 (50 wt.%) using an incipient wetness impregnation method, and Fe 3O 4/Al 2O 3 exhibited higher catalytic efficiency for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and para-chlorobenzoic acid aqueous solution with ozone. The effect and morphology of supported Fe 3O 4 on catalytic ozonation performance were investigated based on the characterization results of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, BET analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst supports especially their Lewis acid sites had a significant influence on the catalytic activity. In comparison with SiO 2, more Lewis acid sites existed on the surface of Al 2O 3, resulting in higher catalytic ozonation activity. During the reaction process, no significant Fe ions release was observed. Moreover, Fe 3O 4/Al 2O 3 exhibited stable structure and activity after successive cyclic experiments. The results indicated that the catalyst is a promising ozonation catalyst with magnetic separation in drinking water treatment.