Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenolic solutions over Fe2O3/CeO2 and WO3/CeO2 catalyst systems

Fe2O3/CeO2 and WO3/CeO2 catalysts were synthesized with different metal loading (5–20%), using a simple combustion preparation method. The samples were tested in a batch reactor at atmospheric pressure, in a temperature range of 60–100 °C, for 4 h. Phenol conversion and CO2 production levels were evaluated. Iron-containing samples were comparatively more active, reaching a 100% phenol conversion at 80–100 °C. The systems were considerably stable in the acidic reaction medium: low iron leaching levels (1–5%) were registered. Selectivity towards complete mineralization was high (75–80%) and similar for both types of catalytic systems.