Microwave-induced catalytic oxidation process for treatment of phenol in water with Fe₂O₃XAl₂O₃ catalyst

The ferric oxide catalyst was prepared by the dipping-calcination method using γ-Al₂O₃ as a carrier and the microwave-induced oxidation process was developed to treat phenol in water. The effects of operating conditions on the catalyst activity, the using life of the catalyst, and the reaction kinetics were studied. α-Fe₂O₃ was loaded on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃ and the content of α-Fe₂O₃ in the catalyst was 3.71%. Under the optimal treatment conditions of phenol concentration of 100 mg/L, microwave power of 400 w, irradiation time of 5 min, catalyst amount of 60 g/L, H₂O₂ concentration of 600 mg/L and pH > 4, a phenol removal rate of 97.98% was obtained. The catalyst could be reused > 20 times remaining a phenol removal rate of 96.34%.