Abstract
The role of oxygen vacancy (VO) in catalyst is manifested to be positive in the Fenton-like process. However, rational modulation of VO with a simple strategy for the efficient Fenton-like catalysts remains desirable and challenging. Here a facile heat treatment method without any additives was demonstrated to introduce VO on mesoporous cobalt oxide (Co3O4) hollow nanospheres, which served as highly reactive and stable Fenton-like catalysts for recalcitrant organic pollutants (bisphenol A, BPA) degradation by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The VO-rich Co3O4 nanospheres exhibited superior BPA removal efficiency with high BPA degradation rate (0.0232 min−1, 100 min). The concentration of VO in Co3O4 was proved to act as an important role for the PMS activating efficiency. A series of mechanism studies, including radical scavengers, chemical probes and electrochemical characterizations, were conducted to identify the active radicals generated by PMS activation. Singlet oxygen produced from the VO-based reaction pathway, rather than sulfate radical and hydroxyl radical, was unveiled to play a key role in the BPA degradation process. This work provided new insight into designing transition metal oxide-based Fenton-like catalysts with efficient and sustainable remediation of refractory organic contaminants in wastewater.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 125869 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Chemical Engineering Journal |
Volume | 400 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Nov 2020 |
Keywords
- Cobalt oxide
- Fenton-like process
- Heat treatment
- Oxygen vacancy
- Singlet oxygen
Equipment
-
Centre for Electron Microscopy (MCEM)
Peter Miller (Manager)
Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Research Infrastructure)Facility/equipment: Facility
-