Activated carbon and cerium supported on activated carbon applied to the catalytic ozonation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Pyrene and fluoranthene, typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are very difficult to be removed from water due to their hydrophilic nature and relatively low reactivity towards ozone. In the study, Ce-loaded activated carbon (Ce-AC) is prepared and used as catalyst to promote pyrene and fluoranthene degradation by ozone. The catalytic activity of Ce-AC is investigated under various experiment conditions. Results indicate both of pyrene and fluoranthene removals are significantly enhanced in Ce-AC + O3 due to effective generation of hydroxyl radicals (OH), as compared to ozonation alone and AC + O3. The mineral matter present in the activated carbon positively contributes to remove fluoranthene and the optimized cerium loading of AC is 0.3% in ozonation process. Moreover, the toxicity of pyrene is more than that of fluoranthene and the reaction solution's toxicity is substantially reduced by catalytic ozonation with Ce-AC.

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► The preparation of a series of Ce-AC was carried out.
► The operational parameters were systematically investigated.
► The toxicity of the reaction solution was assessed.
► The main possible reaction pathway is illustrated.