Ultra-fast degradation of phenolics and dyes by Cu2O/Cu catalysts: Synthesis and degradation kinetics. Issue 4 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Xia; Jia, Ke; Chen, Shifei; Lang, Daning; Yang, Chao; Wang, Lu; Wu, Ronglan; Wang, Wei; Wang, Jide
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles -- Wastewater treatment -- Degradation of phenols -- Degradation of pigments; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: The complex and time-consuming character of the current methods to synthesize cuprous catalysts hampers use of such compounds as replacements for noble metal catalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, we report on the development of a simple one-pot method for synthesis of Cu2 O/Cu nanoparticles. The method was comprised of adding benzyl alcohol during the process of nanoparticle synthesis, where the amount of benzyl alcohol used determined the content of Cu in the obtained nanoparticles. A thorough physicochemical characterization was carried out for the synthesized nanoparticles, where it was found that they could act as catalysts for ultra-fast degradation of phenolics and dyes. Thus, their catalytic activity for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol, methyl orange, and Congo red were evaluated, where pseudo-first-order kinetics were observed. The percentage degradation and rate constant (kapp ) values were, respectively, 98% (in 60 s) and kapp = 61.23 × 10 −3 s −1 for 4-nitrophenol, 96% (in 100 s) and kapp = 31.5 × 10 −3 s −1 for methyl orange, and 97% (in 100 s) and kapp = 35.5 × 10 −3 s −1 for Congo red. Comparisons with previously reported cuprous catalysts for degradation of these compounds revealed that the Cu2 O/Cu nanoparticles of the present paper exhibited the fastest degradation rates. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: One-pot method to synthesize Cu2 O/Cu catalysts by introducing benzyl alcohol. Cu2 O/Cu catalysts facilitates the degradation of phenolics and dyes. Degradation of pollutants within minutes.