Quantification of low molecular weight oxidation byproducts produced from real filtered water after catalytic...

Catalytic ozonation was suggested to be effective for micropollutant removal during water treatment. However, research on organic byproduct formation from catalytic ozonation of real filtered water in water treatment plants was lacking. In this work, two synthesized catalysts, α-FeOOH and CeO₂, were applied to catalyze ozonation of real filtered water at different ozone dosages, and the byproducts were quantified. Results showed that the α-FeOOH enhanced hydroxyl radical production, while the CeO₂ did not. Both catalysts further reduced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and UV₂₅₄ of the filtered water during the catalytic oxidation processes. The O₃/CeO₂ improved the removal of low molecular weight compounds, especially the refractory compounds such as ketoacids and carboxylic acids, compared to ozonation alone. While the O₃/α-FeOOH generated higher concentrations of carboxylic acids than that of ozonation. Thus, in light of DOC and low molecular weight compound reductions, CeO₂ was the superior catalyst for micropollutant removal in real filtered water.