Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of ZnO–CeO2 nanoparticles in wet oxidation of wastewater containing chlorinated compounds

Abstract

Here we report the catalytic property of ZnO–CeO2 nanoparticles towards oxidative degradation of organic pollutants present in industrial wastewater. The catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method without using any surfactant. The physicochemical properties of catalysts were studied by XRD, Raman, XPS, N2-sorption, FE-SEM, TEM and EDX techniques. The characterization results confirmed the formation of porous ZnO–CeO2 nanocatalysts with high surface area, pore volume and oxygen vacancies. ZnO–CeO2 nanocatalysts exhibited appreciable efficiency in CWAO of industrial wastewater under mild conditions. The Ce40Zn60 catalyst was found to be most efficient with 72% color, 64% chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 63% total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Efficient removal of chlorophenolics (CHPs, 59%) and adsorbable organic halides (AOX, 54%) indicated the feasibility of using ZnO–CeO2 nanocatalysts in degradation of non-biodegradable and toxic chlorinated compounds.