Synthesis of copper pillared bentonite ferrioxalate catalyst for degradation of 4-nitrophenol in visible light assisted Fenton process

Copper pillared bentonite catalyst (CuPBC) was developed from ferrioxalate complex and copper pillared bentonite (CuPB). The samples were characterized for physical and chemical properties. The CuPBC degraded 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in a batch ultra violet and visible light assisted Fenton process with and without pH adjustments. The best experimental condition that achieved total degradation of 100 ppm of 4-NP was 20% excess H2O2, 2.0 g CuPBC at 40 °C in 6 min without pH adjustments. The CuPBC reusability study showed marginal drop of 4.4% in efficiency in the 5th round of experiment. These qualities made CuPBC promising for treating 4-NP pollutant.