Cobalt impregnated natural and acid modified montmorilloniteas catalysts in heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of nicotine in the presence of Oxone®

Nicotine i.e. (S)-3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl) pyridine is an alkaloid present in significant quantities in tobacco leaves and can be found in wastewaters as an aftermath of tobacco manufacturing. Natural Wyoming originated montmorillonite (Wy-M) and acid modified montmorillonite (Wy-MA) were impregnated by wetness capillary method using Co(NO3)2 solution. The amount of introduced cobalt corresponded to cation exchange capacity of each sample. The samples were calcinated at 450°C during 6 hours and denoted as Co/Wy-M and Co/Wy-MA. These catalysts were used for nicotine degradation in the presence of Oxone® (2KHSO5∙KHSO4∙K2SO4). The changes in the chemical and phasecomposition of Wy-M, Wy-MA, Co/Wy-M and Co/Wy-MA were monitored using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively.The powerful sulfate radicals for nicotine oxidation were generated by activation of Oxone® in the presence of transition metal cation (Co2+) incorporated into the catalysts structure. The process of nicotine oxidation was investigated at 30° C and 50 °C, while thenicotine concentration was monitored using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at λmax=261 nm. The obtained results showed efficient degradation of stable nicotine molecule in heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction using cobalt impregnated natural and acid modified montmorillonite as catalysts