Catalytic ozonation of 4-nitrophenol over an mesoporous α-MnO2 with resistance to leaching

Two series of α-MnO 2 materials were prepared via a similar method with surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfate (SDBS). The surfactants work both as shape directing agent and reduction initiator. The α-MnO 2 synthesized with 0.2   M of CTAB showed a mesoporous structure with high surface area of 387.7   m 2 /g. It is very active in catalytic ozonation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and total organic carbon removal, with higher catalytic stability than commercial MnO 2 . Using tert -butanol and p -benzoquinone as scavengers of different oxidative species, we found that superoxide radicals, rather than hydroxyl radicals, were mainly responsible for the degradation of 4-NP.