On the efficiency of cobalt zinc ferrite nanoparticles for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of 4-chlorophenol

Cobalt substituted zinc ferrite nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel auto combustion method are efficient catalysts for the wet peroxide oxidation of 4-chlorophenol. Complete degradation of 4-chlorophenol occurs within one hour with all catalysts under study. 90% of the target compound is removed with oxidant concentration as low as 1 ml. Varying the catalyst dosage, it is found that direct correlation between the amount of catalyst present and extent of degradation of 4-chlorophenol is observed, ruling out the heterogeneous–homogeneous mechanism. The catalysts are reusable and the activity of the catalysts remains almost the same after four successive runs. The extent of iron leaching is fairly low after five consecutive cycles indicating the mechanism to be heterogeneous.