Reduction of p-Nitrophenol with Modified Coal Fly Ash Supported by Palladium Catalysts

• Published in: Catalysts 2024-09, Vol.14 (9), p.600
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hao, Zhou, Kaicheng, Ye, Tao, Xu, Huajun, Xie, Man, Sun, Pengfei, Dong, Xiaoping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aminophenol; Catalysts; catalytic reduction; Caustic soda; Chemical synthesis; coal fly ash; Coal-fired power plants; Cost analysis; Dye industry; Fly ash; Hydrochloric acid; Methylene blue; Nanoparticles; Nitrophenol; Oxidation; p-Nitrophenol; Palladium; Palladium catalysts; Raw materials; Rubber industry; Silica; Sodium; sodium borohydride; Sodium hydroxide; Surface analysis (chemical); Toxicity; Wastewater treatment; Zeolites
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal14090600

The compound p-Nitrophenol (p-NP) is widely recognized as a highly toxic nitro-aromatic substance that urgently requires emission control. Reducing p-NP to p-aminophenol (p-AP) not only decreases its toxicity and mineralization properties in nature but also provides a key raw material for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The study used coal fly ash (CFA) as a catalyst carrier for synthesizing the p-NP reduction catalyst. Using CFA as an alternative option not only reduces costs but also achieves the objective of treating waste with waste compared to utilizing commercial solid materials for synthesizing catalysts. By employing hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide pretreatment methods, the physicochemical properties of CFA are significantly improved, enhancing the dispersion of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles. The structural features of the prepared samples were characterized using various surface analysis techniques, and both intermittent and continuous modes were experimentally tested for the model catalytic reaction involving the sodium borohydride (NaBH4)-mediated reduction of p-NP. The results demonstrate that CFA has potential in wastewater treatment.