Microwave induced catalytic degradation of crystal violet in nano-nickel dioxide suspensions

Nickel oxide catalyst was obtained by precipitation–oxidation method with the assistance of microwave irradiation. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface area and porosity analyzer. On the basis of the results, the as-prepared product was nano-NiO 2 with OH group and active oxygen. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared product might be attributed to its microwave absorbing property and the role of active oxygen, OH group under microwave irradiation. The microwave induced catalytic degradation process (MICD) with as-prepared product was further applied to degrade triphenylmethane dye crystal violet (CV). 97% of a 100 mg L −1 sample of CV was rapidly degraded in 5 min with the corresponding 81% TOC removal. The main intermediates were separated and identified by LC–ESI-MS and GC–MS techniques. The LC–ESI-MS analytical results demonstrated that a series of N- de-methylation products were obtained in a stepwise manner, namely mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexa-de-methylated CV species. Nine organic acids with benzene ring and four low molecular acids were yielded with the assistance of GC–MS. The proposed degradation pathways were discussed in this study. The degradation processes might include N- de-methylation, destruction of conjugated structure and opening-benzene ring. MICD, as a potential technique with wide application perspective, can be used to purify triphenylmethane dye wastewater with nanosized nickel dioxide.