Synthesis of zirconia-immobilized copper chelates for catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Chelating sorbents with diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene-phosphonic acid) (DTPMPA) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ligands immobilized on zirconia matrix were prepared and subsequently saturated with Cu(II). All the Cu chelates catalyzed decomposition of H2O2 yielding highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. All of them were also able to catalyze degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene). The most effective DTPMPA-based catalysts G-32 and G-35 (10 mg ml−1 with 100 mmol H2O2) caused almost complete decomposition of 15 ppm anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene during a five day catalytic cycle at 30 °C. Anthracene-1,4-dione was the main product of anthracene oxidation by all catalysts. The catalysts were active in several cycles without regeneration.