Synthesis of Cu2O–CuFe2O4 microparticles from Fenton sludge and its application in the Fenton process: the key role of Cu2O in the catalytic degradation of phenol. Issue 11 (2nd February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faheem, Muhammad; Jiang, Xinbai; Wang, Lianjun; Shen, Jinyou
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 5740
• Page End: 5748
• Publication Date: 2018-02-02
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra13608k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : The higher catalytic activity of Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 could be attributed to the availability of both Cu(i ) and Cu(ii ) as well as Fe(ii )/Fe(iii ). Abstract : This paper presents the key role of Cu2 O in Fenton catalysis using Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 magnetic microparticles, which were prepared using Fenton sludge as an iron source. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 and CuFe2 O4 microparticles was evaluated in a heterogeneous Fenton system for the degradation of recalcitrant phenol. The Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 microparticles demonstrated relatively superior catalytic performance as compared to CuFe2 O4 microparticles when used as a Fenton catalyst. The relatively higher catalytic activity of Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 for phenol degradation during the Fenton process could be attributed to the availability of both monovalent [Cu(i )] and divalent [Cu(ii )] as well as Fe(ii )/Fe(iii ) redox pairs, which could react quickly with H2 O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals (HO˙). An electron bridge was formed between Cu(i ) and Fe(iii ), which accelerates the formation of Fe(ii ) species in order to boost the reaction rate. Highly reactive and excessively available Cu(i ) species for as prepared Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 microparticles could be considered to be rather crucial for the generation of highly reactive HO˙ radical species. In addition, the as-prepared Cu2 O–CuFe2 O4 magnetic microparticles exhibited sound stability and reusability.