Heterogeneous photo-Fenton oxidation of lignin of rice husk alkaline hydrolysates using Fe-impregnated silica catalysts

Present work shows results of a study on heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation of lignin alkaline hydrolysates formed in the process of obtaining a fibrous mass from rice husk. Fe-impregnate biogenic amorphous silica Fe/RH-SiO2 obtained from rice husk was used as a catalyst. Using IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis it was shown that iron(III) oxide in the form of hematite is present on the catalyst surface. Phenol was used for preliminary assessment of catalytic activity of the catalyst Fe/RH-SiO2. The degree of degradation of phenol by the UV/visible radiation/Fe/RH-SiO2/H2O2 system reaches 90%. The catalytic activity of Fe/RH-SiO2 was studied in the reaction of lignin degradation of rice husk alkaline hydrolysates under ultraviolet and visible irradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The lignin solutions with COD: H2O2 ratios from 1:2 to 1:16 were exposure under UV irradiation for 15-minute and the subsequent lightening on sunny days between 9 am and 8 pm in April for 7 days in the presence of a catalyst and without it. The catalyst concentration was 1.0 g L-1. After that, it was found the content of phenolic compounds in the presence of a catalyst is 2-20 times lower than without it. The COD with the COD: H2O2 = 1:16 ratio in the presence of a catalyst decreases 1.5 times as compared with the initial solution, whereas without a catalyst it increases 13 times.