Dephosphorylation via Various Metal Oxides with a Focus on Cobalt Oxide
Embargo until
Date
2018-05-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
Global phosphorus usage is steadily increasing as the human population continuously grows; consequentially, the amount of phosphorus wasted proportionally increases. To counteract this problem, a way to capture and recycle as much of the lost phosphorus is vital for the longevity of this important element.
Here I report on methods to synthesize different metal oxide nanoparticles with a focus on cobalt oxide to promote successful dephosphorylation. Various characterization techniques are done to identify each metal oxide and its catalytic properties. The dephosphorylation reaction was further studied across multiple cobalt oxide morphologies at various temperatures to provide kinetic results unique to each morphology along with accompanying factors affecting the reaction efficacy. My results show that the most efficient catalyst boasts about a 92% conversion rate on phosphorus extraction. Additionally, a recyclability study shows the reusability of the cobalt oxide nanoparticles which remain with conversion rate of approximate 97% of the previous yield.
Description
Keywords
Dephosphorylation, cobalt oxide