Decontamination of (Methoxy Methyl Phosphoryl) Oxymethane (MMPOM) over Nano-Structured Co3O4 and MnCo2O4 Catalysts

In the present study, the practicality of catalytic surfaces of nano-structured Co3O4 and MnCo2O4 for the adsorption and neutralization reactions of organo-phosphorous pollutants has been investigated. Co3O4 and MnCo2O4 nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by precipitation method using cadmium nitrate and manganese nitrate as the precursors and then characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive micro-analysis (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The application of the synthesized nanoparticles as solid catalysts for the adsorption and neutralization of (methoxy methyl phosphoryl) oxymethane (MMPOM) as an agricultural organo-phosphorous pesticide was assayed in different solvents and monitored by phosphorous-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31PNMR), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and IR analyses. The experimental results have shown that 39%, 47% and 62% of MMPOM have been removed on the surface of Co3O4NPs in isopropanol, chloroform and decane solvents after 12 h, respectively. While, higher amounts (80%, 92% and 100%) were removed in the same solvents, when MnCo2O4NPs were chosen as the catalytic surface. This demonstrates that the choice of nanoparticle and solvent (MnCo2O4NPs and decane) have a great impact on the detoxification of MMPOM.