High efficiency degradation of 4-nitrophenol by microwave-enhanced catalytic method

Application of the microwave-enhanced catalytic degradation (MECD) method on the abatement of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) using nickel oxide was studied. A mix-valenced nickel oxide was prepared from nickel nitrate aqueous solution through a precipitation with sodium hydroxide and an oxidation by sodium hypochlorite with/without microwave-assisted heating. They were characterized by X-ray (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), and transmission electron micrographs (TEM). Their catalytic activities towards the degradation of 4-NP were investigated through continuous bubbling of air during the liquid phase and evaluated quantitatively with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, the effect of the kinds of catalyst, temperature, pH, initial concentration, and dosage of catalyst on the efficiency of 4-NP degradation was investigated. The results showed that the 4-NP was completely degraded using the high efficiency MECD method within 15 min under [H(+)] = 1.0M, T = 40 °C, and C = 200 ppm over nickel oxide.