Catalytic ozonation assisted by Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂ in the degradation of Aniline from aqueous solution: modelling and optimisation by response surface methodology

ABSTRACT

This work investigated the modelling and optimisation of Aniline degradation using catalytic ozonation with Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂ nanocomposite based on the response surface methodology (RSM). The sol-gel method was used to synthesise the magnetic nanoparticleFe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO_2. The catalyst characteristics were analysed by FE-SEM, EDS, XRD, VSM and TEM. Effects of pH, contact time, catalyst loading, Aniline concentration, and radical scavengers on the degradation efficiency of Aniline were evaluated. Results showed that 93.35% removal efficiency of Aniline and 79.3% TOC reduction were obtained by Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂/O3 process under optimised conditions (contact time = 60 min, catalyst loading = 1.7 g/L, pH = 10.0 and concentration of Aniline = 15 mg/L). Results proved that hydroxyl radicals were dominant radical groups for Aniline degradation in the catalytic ozonation process. After eight continuous using cycles, the results indicated that the Aniline removal efficiency decreased to <6%.In brief, the synthesised Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂is a well synthesised, stable, efficacious and reusable catalyst and could be a desirable alternative material for wastewaters treatment containing Aniline.

KEYWORDS:

• Catalytic ozonation
• Fe₃o₄@SiO₂@TiO₂
• Anilinedegradation

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Author declares there is no conflict of interest regarding this publication.

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This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Alborz University of Medical Sciences [3654045].