Adsorption and heterogeneous advanced oxidation of phenolic contaminants using Fe loaded mesoporous SBA-15 and H2O2

Mesoporous silica, SBA-15, supported Fe/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by impregnation and tested for adsorption and heterogeneous advanced oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) in aqueous solution using H2O2. Characterisation indicated that Fe impregnation did not change the porous structure of SBA-15. Fe/SBA-15 exhibits moderate DCP adsorption, however, Fe/SBA-15 is effective for DCP oxidation under H2O2. The catalytic activity depends on Fe loading, H2O2 concentration, DCP concentration and solution pH. Fe/SBA-15 can achieve 100% DCP conversion and 60% TOC removal at the conditions of 100 ppm DCP, 0.05 g 10%wt Fe/SBA-15, and 1000 ppm H2O2. This catalyst also shows stable performance with low Fe leaching.