Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as an efficient catalyst for catalytic wet air oxidation of phenol

Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used as a catalyst for catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol in a batch reactor. SEM, TEM and FT-IR technique were applied to investigate the microstructure and the surface functional group of the MWNTs. When the carboxylic groups (–COOH) are grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs, the functionalized MWNTs exhibit a good catalytic activity in CWAO of phenol. At a reaction temperature of 160 °C, oxygen pressure of 2.0 MPa and a phenol concentration of 1000 mg/L, 100% phenol and 76% TOC are removed after 120 min reaction.