Catalytic Ozonation of Melanoidin in Aqueous Solution over CoFe2O4 Catalyst

In this work, cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) was synthesized by solvothermal route for application as a catalyst in the ozonation reaction for the decolorization and mineralization of melanoidin from aqueous solution. The structural properties of CoFe2O4 sample were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), particle-size distribution, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDS). Single-phase CoFe2O4 particles with a predominantly mesoporous structure containing a high specific surface area were obtained. Results showed that the CoFe2O4-catalyzed ozonation reaction has higher activity for the decolorization and mineralization of melanoidin when compared with the ozonation reaction without the presence of catalyst. Therefore, this material can be very promising for the application in catalytic ozonation systems for the melanoidin removal from liquid effluents.