Copper doped Fe-N-C as an excellent Fenton-like catalyst for membrane fouling mitigation against natural organic matters at neutral pH. (10th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Liang; Wang, Wenyu; Graham, Nigel; Siddique, Muhammad Saboor; Yang, Hankun; Yu, Wenzheng
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 335(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-10
• Subjects: NOM degradation -- Humic substances -- Cu-Fe bimetallic catalyst -- Heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction -- Natural surface waters -- Membrane fouling mitigation; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The presence of humic substances as a component of natural organic matter (NOM) may cause inefficiency towards drinking water treatment processes, especially the membrane fouling during filtration process. Therefore, to enhance the efficiency of the conventional membrane filtration process, several copper doped Fe-N-C bimetallic heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts (Cu x @FeNC) were prepared and evaluated by executing their catalytic degradation performance against NOM. Results indicated that humic acid (HA, 10 mg/L) could be significantly degraded (95%) within 30 min application of Cu 5p @FeNC-Fenton under neutral pH, which was relatively higher than of FeNC-Fenton (70%) under identical conditions. The macromolecular organic matters in NOM could be destroyed more effectively while the overall mineralization degree also became relatively higher. Meanwhile, a lower membrane fouling of UF (PES 20 kDa)/NF (DOW 270) and highest flux recovery after backwash were observed with Cu 5p @FeNC-Fenton treatments. Characterization and chemical analysis further explored the introduction of Cu x in FeNC was responsible for the rapid reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and efficient degradation of NOM. Additionally, a possible copper-iron synergetic mechanism in Fenton-like system was proposed. This work gives a deep insight into the potential NOM degradation using Fenton-like Cu x @FeNC catalysts and ensures the membrane fouling mitigation for effective water treatment processes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Fe-Cu bimetallic catalysts with M-N-C structure were successfully prepared. Cu 5p @FeNC-H2 O2 system showed an efficient degradation of humic acid at neutral pH. Cu accelerates the redox cycle of Cu and Fe, and improves the production of ROS. This Fenton-like reaction significantly reduced the membrane fouling caused by NOM.