Influence of activated-carbon-supported transition metals on the decomposition of polychlorobiphenyls. Part II: Chemical and physical characterization and mechanistic study

•AC-supported transition metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe) could destroy low-concentration PCBs.•IRTM-C obtained a higher metal concentration and a better metal distribution on AC.•IRTM-C had better effects on the decomposition of PCB-153 than LaTM-C.•Ni, Cu, or Fe as electron donors in PCB dechlorination vs. the stability of Zn.•Both temperature and chemical composition influenced PCB decomposition efficiency.

This paper studies the synergism between transition metals (TMs) and activated carbon (AC) as a catalyst support used in the catalytic decomposition of PCBs. A series of AC-supported TM catalysts was prepared according to two distinct methods: impregnation and ion exchange which were defined as LaTM-C and IRTM-C, respectively. The catalytic reactions between 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-153) and AC-supported Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn catalysts were conducted under N2 atmosphere. Changes in the nature of the catalysts as well as the decomposition mechanism of PCB-153 are discussed. Important findings include: (i) a higher metal concentration and a better metal distribution on AC is realized using ion-exchange, despite a lower AC specific surface area, (ii) IRTM-C had better effects on the decomposition of PCB-153 than LaTM-C, (iii) the role of Ni, Cu, and Fe as electron donors in PCB dechlorination was evaluated vs. the stability of Zn, and (iv) both temperature and chemical composition of TM catalysts influenced the decomposition efficiency of PCBs.