Dual Role of Silicon-based Matrices in Electron Exchange Matrices for Waste Treatment |
| |
Authors: | Noy Cohen Dr. Dror Shamir Prof. Haya Kornweitz Dr. Yael Albo Prof. Ariela Burg |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering, Beer-Sheva, Israel;2. Analytical Chemistry Department, NRCN, Beer-Sheva, Israel;3. Chemical Sciences Department, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel;4. Chemical Engineering Department, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel |
| |
Abstract: | Para chloro aniline (PCA) is a common toxic pollutant found in pharmaceutical wastewater. Our study suggests a novel PCA treatment method based on a heterogeneous advanced oxidation process (AOP) that proceeds in an electron exchange matrix (EEM) prepared by the incorporation of redox-active specie in silica matrices using the sol-gel synthesis route. The results, which are supported by DFT calculations, show that the silicon skeleton of the EEM has two important roles, both as a porous matrix that hosts the redox species and as an oxidant species involved in the AOP. The calculations indicate that the formation of a radical on the nitrogen is favored. The suggested mechanism could shed light on the AOP, which proceeds in a heterogenous system, and on its application inside the understudied EEMs that, until now, have been a virtual black box. A better understanding of the mechanism could lead to improved control over the heterogeneous processes that can play a critical role in industries with the need to treat small amounts of toxic compounds at low concentrations, such as in the pharmaceutical industry. |
| |
Keywords: | DFT calculations Electron exchange matrix Sol-gel matrix PCA Waste treatment |
|
|