Synthesis of zirconia-immobilized copper chelates for catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Chelating sorbents with diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene-phosphonic acid) (DTPMPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ligands immobilized on zirconia matrix were prepared and subsequently saturated with Cu(II). All the Cu chelates catalyzed decomposition of H 2O 2 yielding highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. All of them were also able to catalyze degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (anthracene, benzo[ a]pyrene and benzo[ b]fluoranthene). The most effective DTPMPA-based catalysts G-32 and G-35 (10 mg ml −1 with 100 mmol H 2O 2) caused almost complete decomposition of 15 ppm anthracene and benzo[ a]pyrene during a five day catalytic cycle at 30 °C. Anthracene-1,4-dione was the main product of anthracene oxidation by all catalysts. The catalysts were active in several cycles without regeneration.