Synthesis and Characterization of Acicular Iron Oxide Particles Obtained from Acid Mine Drainage and Their Catalytic Properties in Toluene Oxidation

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Acid mine drainage (AMD) has long been a significant environmental problem resulting from the microbial oxidation of iron pyrite in the presence of water and air. This Article describes a method to produce acicular goethite particles (AGNs) from AMD and their application as a catalyst for the combustion of volatile organic compounds. Ferric ions were recovered from AMD as AGNs with relatively high purity via an oxidation-selective precipitation process during AMD treatment. Hematite materials (PNs) were produced when the AGNs were treated at 450 °C. These materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, and N 2 adsorption/desorption. The PNs were tested as a combustion catalyst and shown to be useful for the oxidation of toluene. AGNs impregnated with manganese were used to prepare the PN_Mn5 catalyst. The catalysts selectively produced CO 2 and water, representing a good alternative to commercially available catalysts in terms of origin and availability.