Comparing activated carbon and magnetic activated carbon in removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate from aqueous solution by heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process

Activated carbon from pine cone (PCAC) was used as a precursor to prepare Fe3O4/magnetic activated carbon (MPCAC). Here, the removal of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) was studied using catalytic ozonation process (COP) in exposure to MPCAC. Subsequently, it was compared with PCAC. Moreover, the effects of solution's initial pH, catalyst dosage, and the time of ozonation on the removal process were comparatively studied in reference to a sole ozonation process (SOP). According to the results of this study, compared with PCAC, degradability could be improved and initial concentration of LAS reduced by COP using MPCAC. Consequently, almost complete removal (>98%) of 25 mg/L of LAS was achieved under the optimum conditions (15 min ozonation time, 7 mg/min ozone flow, 0.3 g/L catalyst dosage and pH=10). Concluding, this nanocomposite is an effective active catalyst for mineralization and degradation of LAS in COP.