Synthesis of birnessite-type manganese oxide from two different reducing agents via solvent-free method and the catalytic activity in degradation of POME

Birnessite-type manganese oxide is multifunction material that has been used in various application and the characteristic depends heavily upon its preparation method. In this study, birnessite-type manganese oxide was synthesized using the reaction between KMnO₄ (oxidant) and two different reducing agents i.e., citric acid and oxalic acid via a solvent-free method. The characterization of the birnessite was carried out using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and Surface Area Analyzer (SAA). Birnessite from this variation of reducing agents showed different levels of crystallinity, diverse morphology, crystal size, and surface area. The birnessite-type was then applied as a catalyst for the degradation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an oxidant to reduce the concentrations of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The maximum reduction in COD concentration was obtained using the catalyst concentration of 400 and 800 mg/L for reducing agent of as-synthesized catalyst citric acid and oxalic acid. Birnessite-type manganese oxide shows potential as a catalyst in the degradation of POME with citric acid as reducing agents showed better degradation in reducing COD values. (paper)