Abstract:
This work explores the preparation and characterization of cobalt oxide catalyst and
investigation of its catalytic activities for oxidative degradation of phenol in aqueous medium. The
catalyst was prepared by mechanochemical process in solid state at room temperature by reaction of
Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O and NH₄HCO₃. The prepared catalyst was characterized by physical (surface area,
particle size, XRD, SEM and FTIR analysis) and chemical (determination of oxygen content)
techniques. The prepared cobalt oxide was used as catalyst for oxidative degradation of phenol in
aqueous medium by taking 15 mL of 0.71 M phenol solution. The catalytic performance of cobalt
oxide was explored in terms of effect of time, temperature and partial pressure of oxygen on
degradation of phenol. The catalyst was separated from the reaction mixture by filtration. LangmuirHinshelwood type of mechanism was followed in the reaction where adsorption of phenol and
oxygen at the surface of catalyst was taking place according to Freundlich model. Linear and nonlinear least square method of analysis was used for reaction kinetics.
