Modification of structured bio‑carbon derived from spongin-based scaffolds with nickel compounds to produce a functional catalyst for reduction and oxidation reactions: Potential for use in environmental protection

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 794; p. 148692
• Main Authors: Żółtowska, Sonia, Bielan, Zuzanna, Zembrzuska, Joanna, Siwińska-Ciesielczyk, Katarzyna, Piasecki, Adam, Zielińska-Jurek, Anna, Jesionowski, Teofil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10-11-2021
• Subjects: Carbonization; Nickel-based catalysts; Noble-metal-free catalysts; Organic-based wastewater treatment; Oxidation and reduction reactions; Spongin-based scaffolds; Carbonization; Nickel-based catalysts; Noble-metal-free catalysts; Oxidation and reduction reactions; Spongin-based scaffolds; Organic-based wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148692

Three different 3D fibrous-like NiO/Ni(OH)2/Ni‑carbonized spongin-based materials were prepared via a simple sorption–reduction method. Depending on the support used, the catalysts were composed of carbon, nickel oxide, nickel hydroxide and zero-valent nickel, with the surface content of the nickel-containing phase in the range 15.2–26.0 wt%. Catalytic studies showed promising activity in the oxidation of phenolic compounds in water and in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The oxidation efficiency depends on the substrate used and ranges from 80% for phenol at pH 2 to 99% for 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) and methylchlorophenoxypropionic acid (MCPP). In the reduction reaction, all catalysts exhibited superior activity, with rate constants in the range 0.648–1.022 min-1. The work also includes a detailed investigation of reusability and kinetic studies.
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•Marine sponges as a biomimetic source of biocarbons•Prepared biocarbons were modified with Ni species to obtain functional materials.•Study of morphological and physicochemical properties of prepared composites•Ni-modified biocarbons as functional materials for catalytic use.•New catalysts for oxidation or reduction reactions of phenolic compounds