Abstract:
Catalytic remediation of lindane or y-hexachlorocyclohexane has been recently studied
in order to reduce the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that contaminated the
environment. This research investigates the dehydrochlorination of lindane dissolved in
methyl alcohol and reacted with NaOH by the aid of 3 forms of catalysts supported on
chitosan; PdfCS, Si02/CS, and Pd-Si02/CS. Each form of catalysts was prepared by
different procedures. Via the characterization of catalysts, BET surface area and pore
volume of PdfCS was highest because it has the smallest size of pore. In contrast, the
Si02/CS and Pd-Si02/CS catalysts have the larger pore size than the PdfCS. For the
morphology of catalysts through SEM technique, solid matter of PdfCS was definitely
associated and linked continuously. However, porosities could be found in some
aggregated portions. In dehydrochlorination of lindane, the reaction was conducted in
batch reactor at mild condition (room temperature and ambient pressure) Different
initial concentrations of lindane (25, 50, and 75 mmol/l) was studied. Eight components
to be studied were 1,3,5 TCB, 1,2,4 TCB, 1,2,3 TCB, 1,4 DCB, 1,3 DCB, 1,2 DCB,
MCB, and benzene. Among those components, the major products produced from the
reaction are 1,2,4 TCB and MCR Without the catalysts, the y-HCH from 25 mmol/l
lindane was all converted to TCBs within 10 min. After 10 min, the TCBs formed were
later transformed to benzene as the final product. With the assumption of pseudo firstorder
reaction, the lindane catalyzed by PdfCS gave the highest value of average rate
constant. The initial concentration of 50 mmol/l lindane catalyzed by the catalysts
provided the fastest rate to produce benzene. As based on the concentration of benzene,
the 75 mmol/llindane catalyzed by PdfCS gave the highest concentration. In addition,
the variation of amounts of PdfCS affected the selectivity of lindane to produce TCBs
and benzene. The higher the amount of PdfCS, the higher the selectivity for benzene
production. The rate constant when the 25 mg of PdfCS was applied in the reaction was
highest. The production rate of benzene after 25 mg of PdfCS was added into the
reaction was fastest.