Employing α-Fe2O3 /Mn2P2O7 as a nano photocatalyst for degradation of toluene in aqueous environment

Abstract

In this study, α-Fe2O3 nano-spheres are immobilized on the surface of manganese pyrophosphate<br />(Mn2P2O7) support using forced hydrolysis and reflux condensation (FHRC) method. The synthesized<br />α-Fe2O3/Mn2P2O7 were characterized by FTIR, SEM, BET EDX, and XRD. The photocatalytic activity from<br />α-Fe2O3/Mn2P2O7 was investigated for the removal of toluene in aqueous solution by UV/H2O2 system. The<br />chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements were used to determine the amount of toluene removal.<br />The experiments were designed based on four affecting variables, including pH, catalyst content, initial<br />toluene concentration and H2O2 at three levels using Box-Behnken experimental design. The results of<br />this study showed that α-Fe2O3/Mn2P2O7 as a new photocatalyst has a higher photocatalytic activity than<br />α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Based on the achieved results, the maximum degradation efficiency was 97.14%<br />in optimal conditions.