Preparation of novel iron-loaded microfibers entrapped carbon-nanotube composites for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of m-cresol in a fixed bed reactor

A novel microfibers entrapped carbon-nanotube composite catalyst with iron loaded (MF-CNT-Fe2O3) was develop followed by fixed bed catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of m-cresol. Firstly, the microfibers entrapped carbon-nanotube composite (MF-CNT) support was prepared by wet lay-up papermaking process and sintering process and the entrapment ratio of support was evaluated. Then active components were loaded on support by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method. Characterizations were carried out including Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), N-2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H-2-Temperature-Programmed Reduction (H-2-TPR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), respectively. At last, catalytic activity was tested. Results showed that the best entrapment ratio (72.5%) occurred when stirring time was 9.5 min and the mass ratio of CNTs to stainless steel fibers was 6:3. Characterization results illustrated that advanced three-dimensional network was formed in the microfibers composites and catalysts performed high thermal stability. CNTs were successfully entrapped in the fibers and iron components were uniformly dispersed on supports. CWPO results showed that MF-CNT-Fe2O3 catalysts prepared by MOCVD performed better than by impregnation method. Additionally, MF-CNT-Fe2O3 catalysts could perform high CWPO activity (m-cresol conversion highest at 99% and TOC conversion highest at 42%, respectively). Little iron loss was observed in all treated effluents.