Using thermal analysis combined with IR fourier-transform spectroscopy for study and selection of catalysts for removal of organic impurities from water

Abstract

The suitability of the methods of simultaneous thermal analysis combined with Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy for express investigation and selection of catalysts and sorbents has been demonstrated. Through case studies on reacting aqueous ethanol with carbon and carbon fiber it has been shown that, in the 20–100°C temperature range, ethanol is adsorbed on the carbon material surface, and in the 100–200°C range, it is desorbed. The revealed change in the amount of the ethanol desorbed and the carbon dioxide evolution data indicate that, along with ethanol sorption, oxidation of the adsorbed ethanol occurs.