Catalytic ozonation of p-chloronitrobenzene over pumice-supported zinc oxyhydroxide

The catalytic ozonation of p-chloronitrobenzene (pCNB) in an aqueous solution using pumice-supported zinc oxyhydroxide (ZMP) as the catalyst was investigated. ZMP significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency in the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation compared with ozonation alone. The decomposition rate of the aqueous ozone increased 2.84-fold in the presence of ZMP. Catalytic ozone decomposition showed that pCNB is oxidized primarily by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) in ozonation/ZMP processes. This modification increases the density of surface hydroxyl groups as well as the pH at the point of zero charge (pH_PZC) of pumice, resulting in the appearance of new ZnO and Zn(OH)₂ crystalline phases. An investigation of the underlying mechanism confirms that ZnOOH loading promotes •OH initiation, which enhances the degradation of pCNB.