Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as an efficient catalyst for catalytic wet air oxidation of phenol

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as a catalyst for catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol in a batch reactor. SEM, TEM and FT-IR technique were applied to investigate the microstructure and the surface functional group of the MWNTs. When the carboxylic groups (-COOH) are grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs, the functionalized MWNTs exhibit a good catalytic activity in CWAO of phenol. At a reaction temperature of 160 degrees C, oxygen pressure of 2.0 MPa and a phenol concentration of 1000 mg/L, 100% phenol and 76% TOC are removed after 120 min reaction. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.