Removal of phenol content of an industrial wastewater via a heterogeneous photodegradation process using supported FeO onto nanoparticles of Iranian clinoptilolite

FeO was supported onto clinoptilolite nanoparticles and used in photodegradation of phenol in a wastewater sample under Hg lamp irradiation. Raw and modified samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, DRS, TEM, and SEM. The effects of catalyst dosage, dilution extent of the used wastewater, initial pH, and doses of hydrogen peroxide and potassium bromate were studied on the degradation activity of the catalyst. The optimal operation parameters were found as: 38-mg L−1 phenol (five times of diluted solution), pH 6.7, and 0.3-g L−1 catalyst mass.