Memory effect-enhanced catalytic ozonation of aqueous phenol and oxalic acid over supported Cu catalysts derived from hydrotalcite

Mg/Al supported metal (Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) oxide catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation of hydrotalcite-like clay materials as precursors, calcined, and used for the ozonation reaction of phenol and oxalic acid. The reaction was carried out using the catalyst and aqueous solution of phenol or oxalic acid in an O₃/O₂ mixed gas-flow at 20 °C. In the ozonation of phenol, the combination of ozone and supported metal oxide catalysts was effective for the removal of total organic carbon (TOC). Also in the ozonation of oxalic acid as the main TOC component, Cu/Mg/Al catalysts showed the highest activity, followed by Ni/Mg/Al catalyst, while both Fe/Mg/Al and Co/Mg/Al catalysts were not active. Leaching of Cu and Ni, probably due to the chelation of metals by oxalic acid, was significantly observed at the beginning of the reaction. However the metal leaching disappeared at the end of the reaction possibly due to the entire consumption of oxalic acid during the reaction. The best result of oxalic acid mineralization was observed over Cu/Mg/Al catalyst calcined at 600 °C, on which least leaching of the metal was detected. Moreover, a "memory effect" of hydrotalcite accelerated the mineralization of oxalic acid over the Cu/Mg/Al catalyst; oxalate anions were captured and decomposed in the reconstituted hydrotalcite interlayer space on the surface of the Cu/Mg/Al catalyst, resulting in a remarkable enhancement in the catalytic activity of the ozonation.