Catalytic Oxidation of Sulfur Dioxide by Activated Carbon: A Physical Chemistry Experiment

E. Raymundo-Piñero and Diego Cazorla-Amorós
Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
E. Morallón
Departamento de Química-Física, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (7), p 958
DOI: 10.1021/ed076p958
Publication Date (Web): July 1, 1999

Abstract

The experiment described in this paper is concerned with the use of activated carbon as a catalyst for oxidation of SO2 to sulfuric acid. The experiment is a good example of heterogeneous catalysis and environmental clean-up. It is simple to set up and uses a conductometer (conductivity meter) to follow the reaction. We describe the experiment in detail, from the preparation of sulfur dioxide to its oxidation by oxygen, the reaction catalyzed by activated carbon. Typical results and suggestions for performing a larger study of the kinetics of the reaction are presented.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Catalysis

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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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