Granular α-FeOOH – A stable and efficient catalyst for the decomposition of dissolved ozone in water

A stable and efficient goethite (α-FeOOH) catalyst in granular form has been successfully used in aqueous ozone decomposition at acidic medium. The catalyst was characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The influence of catalyst loading and catalytic reusability on decomposition was investigated. The decomposition of dissolved ozone was substantially enhanced by increasing the catalyst loading from 2 to 30 g/l. The catalytic stability was investigated up to five successive cycles and found that the catalyst was stable and ozone did not alter the catalyst morphology and its composition. It is concluded that granular goethite is a promising catalyst for the decomposition of ozone in aqueous medium.