The influence of various factors on aqueous ozone decomposition by granular activated carbons and the development of a mechanistic approach

The decomposition of aqueous ozone in the presence of various granular activated carbons (GAC) was studied. The variables investigated were GAC dose, presence of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), aqueous pH as well as textural and chemistry surface properties of GAC. All the GAC tested enhanced the rate of ozone decomposition to some extent. From the analysis of experimental results it was deduced that ozone transformation into HO radicals mainly occurred in the liquid bulk through a radical chain reaction initiated by OH− and HO2- ions. Hydroperoxide ions arise from the formation of H2O2 on surface active sites of GAC and its further dissociation. No direct relationship between textural properties of GAC and the rate of ozone decomposition was found. However, a multiple regression analysis of data revealed that basic and hydroxyl surface oxygen groups (SOG) of GAC favor the kinetics of the ozone decomposition process. It is thought that these groups are the active sites for ozone transformation into H2O2. Repeated used of GAC in ozonation experiments resulted in loss of basic and hydroxyl SOG with formation of carboxyl, carbonyl and lactone-type groups. Then, pre-ozonation of GAC reduces its ability to enhance the aqueous ozone transformation into hydroxyl radicals.