Highly Efficient Functionalized Cu0-Fe3O4-H2O2 Fenton-Like System for the Degradation of Chlorophenols and Its Mechanism

Highly active catalysts remain a vital issue for the Fenton-like degradation of polychlorinated phenols by H2O2. To this question, Cu-0-Fe3O4 nanocatalysts functionalized with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups were prepared in this paper, and the Cu-0-Fe3O4-H2O2 Fenton-like system was constructed and investigated for the degradation of chlorophenols. The results showed that Cu0 could greatly improve the oxidation activity of the system. 0.04 g Cu0-Fe3O4 composite (Fe/Cu = 3/1 mol/mol) could activate 20 mu L H2O2 (30%) degrade near 100% DCP or 2,4,6-TCP or nitrophenol in 100 mL solution in the concen-tration of 50 mg/L within 1-5 min under initial pH 3.0-8.0, 25 degrees C. The Cu-0-Fe3O4-H2O2 system showed high activity and broad pH applicability which was mainly due to the improved Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle by Cu-0, the reduced redox potential of Fe(III)/Fe(II) by functionalized group, and the adsorption ability of Cu-0-Fe3O4 nanocomposites on chlorophenols. The degradation of 2,4-DCP was a combination of oxidative and reductive processes. About 86.6% was oxidized and 13.4% was reduced during the degradation. This study provides a potential method for quickly removing phenolic pollutants.