Sonocatalytic degradation of C.I. Reactive Red 198 in H2O2-based Systems

This study elucidated the effects of pH on the decolorization of C.I. Reactive Red 198 (RR198) in US, UV/H₂O₂, US/H₂O₂ and UV/US/H₂O₂ systems. The synergistic effects in US/H₂O₂ and UV/US/H₂O₂ systems were also evaluated. At pH 4, 7 and 10, the decolorization rates of RR198 followed the order UV/US/H₂O₂ > UV/H₂O₂ > US > US/H₂O₂.     

Effect of iron salt on the color removal of water containing the azo-dye reactive blue 69 using photo-assisted Fe(II)/H2O2 and Fe(III)/H2O2 systems

The effect of chloride, sulfate and nitrate anions on the color removal of water containing the azo-dye reactive blue 69 (RB69) in acidic solution, by using photo-assisted Fenton process with Fe(II)/H₂O₂ and Fe(III)/H₂O₂ systems was investigated. Experiments were conducted in a batch reactor irradiated during 5 h with a domestic 15 W lamp with emission in the visible spectra. Experimental results showed color disappearance in the first 5 min of reaction in the photo-assisted process for all of the different salts, greatly enhancing the reaction rate with respect to the corresponding systems under dark conditions. The exception of the general trend was the Fe₂(SO₄)₃/H₂O₂/UV system, where the decolorization process is slower probably because the oxidative species generated by rupture of Fe(III)–peroxo complexes are less reactive. Total organic matter depletion and mineralization of the effluent were also tested during the experimental runs by means of total organic carbon (TOC) showing that, for most of the photo-assisted experiments high mineralization was reached after 3 h of reaction.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin immobilized in a magnetic nanoparticles-chitosan film

Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to confirm the crystallite structure and the particle's radius. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and chitosan (CS) were mixed to form a matrix in which haemoglobin (Hb) can be immobilized for the fabrication of H₂O₂ biosensor. The Fe₃O₄-CS-Hb film exhibited a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks due to the redox of Hb-heme Fe (III)/Fe (II) in a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. The formal potential of Hb-heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple varied linearly with the increase of pH in the range of 4.0-10.0 with a slope of 46.5 mV pH⁻¹, indicating that electron transfer was accompanied with single proton transportation in the electrochemical reaction. The surface coverage of Hb immobilized on Fe₃O₄-CS film glassy carbon electrode was about 1.13 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) was 1.04 s⁻¹, indicating great facilitation of the electron transfer between Hb and magnetic nanoparticles-chitosan modified electrode. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for H₂O₂ was estimated to be 38.1 μmol L⁻¹.     

Effect of ionic interactions on the oxidation of Fe(II) with H2O2 in aqueous solutions

The oxidation of Fe(II) with H₂O₂ has been measured in NaCl and NaClO₄ solutions as a function of pH, temperature T (K) and ionic strength (M, mol-L^–1). The rate constants, k (M^–1-sec^–1), d[Fe(II)]/DT=-k[Fe(II)][₂O₂]at pH=6.5 have been fitted to equations of the formlog k = log k₀+ AI ^1/2+BI+CI ^1/2/T Where log k₀=15.53-3425/T in water; A=–2.3, –1.35; B=0.334, 0.180; and C=391, 235, respectively, for NaCl (=0.09) and NaClO₄ ( =0.08). Measurements made in NaCl solutions with added anions yield rates in the order B(OH) ₄ ^– >HCO ₃ ^– >ClO ₄ ^– >Cl^–>NO ₃ ^– >SO ₄ ^2– and are attributed to the relative strength of the interactions of Fe²⁺ or FeOH⁺ with these anions. The FeB(OH) ₄ ⁺ species is more reactive while the FeCO ₃ ⁰ , FeCl⁺, FeNO ₃ ⁺ and FeSO ₄ ⁰ species are less reactive than the FeOH⁺ ion pair. The general trend is similar to our earlier studies of the oxidation of Fe(II) with O₂ except for B(OH) ₄ ^– . The effect of pH on the logk was found to be a quadratic function of the concentration of H⁺ or OH^– from pH=4 to 8. These results have been attributed to the different rate constants for Fe²⁺ (k₀) and FeOH⁺ (k₁) which are related to the measured k by, k=k_0Fe + k_1FeOH, where _i is the molar fraction of species i. The rates increase due to the greater reactivity of FeOH⁺ compared to Fe²⁺. k₀ is independent of composition and ionic strength but k₁ is a function of ionic strength and composition due to the interactions of FeOH⁺ with various anions.     

Calculation of exchange coupling constants in solid state transition metal compounds using localized atomic orbital basis sets

The application of theoretical methods based on density functional theory using hybrid functionals and localized, atomic orbital type basis sets is shown to provide good estimates for exchange coupling constants in non-metallic, solid state transition metal compounds with relatively complex crystal structures. The accuracy of the calculated exchange coupling constants is similar to that previously obtained for dinuclear and polynuclear molecular compounds. As an application of this procedure, the magnetic properties of the high-temperature phase of CuGeO₃, the recently synthesized silver copper oxide Ag₂Cu₂O₃, and the family of M[N(CN)₂]₂ (M=Cr(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)) compounds are analyzed via the computation of their most relevant exchange coupling constants.     

Facile synthesis of multifunctional attapulgite/Fe3O4/polyaniline nanocomposites for magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides in environmental water samples

In this study, the superparamagnetic attapulgite/Fe₃O₄/polyaniline (ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized by a one-pot method. Fe (III) was applied as both the oxidant for the oxidative polymerization of aniline and the single iron source of Fe₃O₄ formed by the redox reaction between aniline and Fe (III). The ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI was used as sorbent for magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction (MDSPE) of benzoylurea insecticides (BUs) in environmental water samples. The as-prepared nanocomposite sorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry. Various experimental parameters affecting the ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI-based MDSPE procedure, including the composition of the nanocomposite sorbents, amount of ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI nanocomposites, vortex time, pH, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, a good linearity was observed for all target analytes, with correlation coefficients (r²) ranging from 0.9985 to 0.9997; the limits of detection (LOD) were in the range of 0.02–0.43 μg L⁻¹, and the recoveries of analytes using the proposed method ranged between 77.37% and 103.69%. The sorbents exhibited an excellent reproducibility in the range of 1.52–5.27% in extracting the five target analytes. In addition, the intra-day and inter-day precision values were found to be in the range of 0.78–6.86% and 1.66–8.41%, respectively. Finally, the proposed ATP/Fe₃O₄/PANI-based MDSPE method was successfully applied to analyze river water samples by rapid preconcentration of BUs.     

α-Fe2O3/SiO2纳米颗粒混合体系表面的酸碱性质及其对重金属离子的吸附行为

以Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O和正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为原料, 通过溶胶-凝胶法和辅助模板法分别制备了纳米α-Fe₂O₃和SiO₂, 并对所合成样品进行了粉末X射线衍射(XRD)和BET表征. 使用自动电位滴定仪测定了α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂纳米颗粒混合体系的表面酸碱性质. 研究了在不同pH下α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂混合体系对Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺、Zn²⁺离子的吸附行为. 基于上述实验数据, 用WinSGW软件计算了α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂混合体系表面酸碱配位常数, 并得出结论: α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂混合体系表面反应为单一脱质子反应≡XOH ⇔ ≡XO^-+ H⁺(lg K = -8.19±0.15), 明显区别于同时具有加质子和脱质子反应的α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃, α-Fe₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃和SiO₂/γ-Al₂O₃等纳米颗粒混合体系. 在此基础上拟合得到α-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂混合体系吸附重金属离子Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺、Zn²⁺的表面络合反应平衡常数分别为:
≡XOH + M²⁺ ⇔ ≡XOM⁺+ H⁺ [lg K = -3.1, -3.6, -3.8 (M = Cu, Pb, Zn)].
≡XOH＋M²⁺＋H₂O ⇔≡XOMOH＋2H⁺[lg K = -8.8, -8.0, -10.5 (M = Cu, Pb, Zn)]     

Kinetics of hydrogen peroxide decomposition with complexed and “free” iron catalysts

The hydrogen peroxide decomposition kinetics were investigated for both “free” iron catalyst [Fe(II) and Fe(III)] and complexed iron catalyst [Fe(II) and Fe(III)] complexed with DTPA, EDTA, EGTA, and NTA as ligands (L). A kinetic model for free iron catalyst was derived assuming the formation of a reversible complex (Fe–HO₂), followed by an irreversible decomposition and using the pseudo‐steady‐state hypothesis (PSSH). This resulted in a first‐order rate at low H₂O₂ concentrations and a zero order rate at high H₂O₂ concentrations. The rate constants were determined using the method of initial rates of hydrogen peroxide decomposition. Complexed iron catalysts extend the region of significant activity to pH 2–10 vs. 2–4 for Fenton's reagent (free iron catalyst). A rate expression for Fe(III) complexes was derived using a mechanism similar to that of free iron, except that a L–Fe–HO₂ complex was reversibly formed, and subsequently decayed irreversibly into products. The pH plays a major role in the decomposition rate and was incorporated into the rate law by considering the metal complex specie, that is, EDTA–Fe–H, EDTA–Fe–(H₂O), EDTA–Fe–(OH), or EDTA–Fe–(OH)₂, as a separate complex with its unique kinetic coefficients. A model was then developed to describe the decomposition of H₂O₂ from pH 2–10 (initial rates = 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 1 × 10⁻⁷ M/s). In the neutral pH range (pH 6–9), the complexed iron catalyzed reactions still exhibited significant rates of reaction. At low pH, the Fe(II) was mostly uncomplexed and in the free form. The rate constants for the Fe(III)–L complexes are strongly dependent on the stability constant, K_ML, for the Fe(III)–L complex. The rates of reaction were in descending order NTA > EGTA > EDTA > DTPA, which are consistent with the respective log K_MLs for the Fe(III) complexes. Because the method of initial rates was used, the mechanism does not include the subsequent reactions, which may occur. For the complexed iron systems, the peroxide also attacks the chelating agent and by‐product‐complexing reactions occur. Accordingly, the model is valid only in the initial stages of reaction for the complexed system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 24–35, 2000     

Removal of Cd(II) from Micro-Polluted Water by Magnetic Core-Shell Fe3O4@Prussian Blue

A novel core-shell magnetic Prussian blue-coated Fe₃O₄ composites (Fe₃O₄@PB) were designed and synthesized by in-situ replication and controlled etching of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) to eliminate Cd (II) from micro-polluted water. The core-shell structure was confirmed by TEM, and the composites were characterized by XRD and FTIR. The pore diameter distribution from BET measurement revealed the micropore-dominated structure of Fe₃O₄@PB. The effects of adsorbents dosage, pH, and co-existing ions were investigated. Batch results revealed that the Cd (II) adsorption was very fast initially and reached equilibrium after 4 h. A pH of 6 was favorable for Cd (II) adsorption on Fe₃O₄@PB. The adsorption rate reached 98.78% at an initial Cd (II) concentration of 100 μg/L. The adsorption kinetics indicated that the pseudo-first-order and Elovich models could best describe the Cd (II) adsorption onto Fe₃O₄@PB, indicating that the sorption of Cd (II) ions on the binding sites of Fe₃O₄@PB was the main rate-limiting step of adsorption. The adsorption isotherm well fitted the Freundlich model with a maximum capacity of 9.25 mg·g⁻¹ of Cd (II). The adsorption of Cd (II) on the Fe₃O₄@PB was affected by co-existing ions, including Cu (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II), due to the competitive effect of the co-adsorption of Cd (II) with other co-existing ions.     

Amplification effects of magnetic field on hydroxylamine-promoted ZVI/H2O2 near-neutral Fenton like system

This study has demonstrated an interesting amplification effect of magnetic field（MF） on the hydroxylamine（HA）-promoted zero valent iron（ZVI）/H2 O₂ Fenton-like system.Sulfamethoxazole（SMX） could be efficiently degraded at near neutral pH.Conditional parameters affecting the SMX degradation in the ZVI/H₂ O₂/HA/MF system,e.g.,pH and the dosages of ZVI,HA and H₂ O₂,were investigated.Unlike the acid-favorable ZVI/H₂ O₂ and ...     

Reaction of hydrogen peroxide with low molecular weight iron complexes

Fe(II) complexed with trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA) reacts with hydrogen peroxide in neutral aqueous solution at room temperature to yield reactive species which are not scavenged by t-butanol, under conditions where >90% of hydroxyl radical would be scavenged. Further, the ratio of the rate constants for the reaction of the reactive species with Fe(II)CDTA and H₂O₂ is 6.2, in contrast to a ratio of 200 which would result if the species were the hydroxyl radical. Thus, it is concluded that the reactive species produced is not the hydroxyl radical, but an iron-oxo species such as the ferryl ion. The reactive species is formed in an apparent first order reaction, when either hydrogen peroxide or Fe(II)CDTA is in kinetic excess. The bimolecular reaction rate constant is (1.26 ± 0.19) × 10³ M^-1 s^-1. In experiments where H₂O₂ was in kinetic excess, a chain decomposition of H₂O₂ was observed in which the initially produced iron-oxo intermediate exhibits hydroperoxidase activity.     

Reductive Dissolution of PuO2(am): The Effect of Fe(II) and Hydroquinone

PuO₂(am) solubility was investigated as a function of time, for pH from 0.5 to 11, and in the presence of 0.001 M FeCl₂ or 0.00052 M hydroquinone to determine the effect of environmentally important reducing agents on PuO₂(am) solubilization under geological conditions. Equilibrium was reached in <4 days. The observed PuO₂(am) solubilities were many orders of magnitude higher than the Pu(IV) concentrations predicted from thermodynamic data. Spectroscopic, solvent extraction, and thermodynamic analyses of data showed that Pu(III) was the dominant aqueous oxidation state. The experimental pH, pe, and Pu(III) concentrations from both the Fe(II) and hydroquinone systems provided a log K ⁰ value of 15.5 ± 0.7 for [PuO₂(am) + 4H⁺ + e ^– Pu³⁺ + 2H₂O]. The data show that reduction reactions involving Fe(II) and hydroquinone are relatively rapid and that reductive dissolution of PuO₂(am), hitherto ignored, may play an important role in controlling Pu behavior under reducing environmental conditions.     

Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 prepared by adding polyethyleneglycol

TiO₂ was produced by the sol-gel method with the addition of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) to study the effects of the molecular weight and the addition percentage of PEG. Bisphenol A (BPA) degradation rate constants were highest as 3.07, 4.02 and 4.23 h⁻¹ at PEG addition percentages of 10%, 5% and 0.5%. After 12 h reaction, the total organic carbon (TOC) reductions in UV/TiO₂, UV/TiO₂/PEG(200, 10%), UV/TiO₂/PEG(600, 5%) and UV/TiO₂/PEG(3500, 0.5%) systems were 44%, 24%, 19% and 23%, in order. The results demonstrated that adding an appropriate percentage of PEG to the TiO₂ preparation processes increased the BPA degradation and TOC reduction.     

A Piezo-Fenton System with Rapid Iron Cycling and Hydrogen Peroxide Self-Supply Driven by Ultrasound

The piezo-Fenton system has attracted attention not only because it can enhance the Fenton reaction activity by mechanical energy input, but also because it is expected to realize a class of stimuli-responsive advanced oxidation systems by regulating energy input and hydrogen peroxide self-supply, thus greatly enriching the application possibilities of Fenton chemistry. In this work, a series of Fe-doped g-C₃N₄ (g-C₃N₄-Fe) as a piezo-Fenton system were synthesized where the iron stably immobilized through Fe−N interaction. The piezo-induced electrons generate on g-C₃N₄ matrix support the conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II) and promote rate-limiting step of Fenton reaction. With the optimal Fe loading, g-C₃N₄-0.5Fe can achieve methylene blue (MB) degradation under ultrasonic treatment with first-order kinetic rate constants of 75×10⁻³ min⁻¹. Most importantly, the g-C₃N₄-Fe can maintain good catalytic activity in a wide pH range (pH=2.0∼9.0) and be cyclic used without iron leaching to solution (<0.001 μg ⋅ L⁻¹), overcoming the disadvantage of traditional Fe-based Fenton catalysts that can only be applied under acidic conditions and prone to secondary pollution. In addition, g-C₃N₄-0.5Fe also exhibits antibacterial properties of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under ultrasound. Hydroxyl radicals mainly contribute to the degradation of MB and the sterilization process. Our work is an attempt to clarify the role of g-C₃N₄-Fe in the conversion of mechanical energy to ROS and provide inspirations for the piezo-Fenton system design.     

Catalytic cross-coupling of aniline by pyrite and dissolved oxygen under alkaline conditions

Pyrite catalyzes oxidation of various organic contaminants by dissolved oxygen (DO) under acidic conditions; however, the catalytic mechanism under alkaline conditions is still not clear. In this study, we observe increased oxidation rates of aniline with increasing pHs (7.0–11.0). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and quenching experiments rule out contributions of •OH, O₂^•−, ¹O₂ and Fe (IV) to aniline oxidation and suggest that the Fe (III)–OOH peroxo and/or H₂O₂ are the primary oxidative species in the oxidation of aniline at pH 11.0. In addition, 200 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ does not apparently increase the oxidation rate of aniline, which also rules out the predominant contribution of the produced H₂O₂ to aniline oxidation. We therefore suggest that the Fe (III)–OOH peroxo is indeed the primary oxidative species in the pyrite–DO system under alkaline conditions. Analyses of solid total organic carbon (TOC), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy further reveal that more than 83.3% aniline has been polymerized to polyaniline, instead of being mineralized into CO₂ and H₂O, indicating that H-abstraction from aniline by the Fe (III)–OOH peroxo is an important step in the oxidation of aniline under alkaline conditions. This study provides new insight into the oxidative species in the pyrite–DO system, and opens a new door for organic degradations under alkaline conditions.     

UV light-assisted mineralisation and biodetoxification of Ponceau S with hydroxyl and sulfate radicals

The present study reports simultaneous mineralisation and biodetoxification of Ponceau S (3-hydroxy-4-(2-sulfo-4-[4-sulfophenylazo]phenylazo)-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid sodium salt), an azo dye, by UV light assisted oxidation with hydroxyl and sulfate radicals. Metal ion catalysts used in the work were: Fe²⁺ and Ag⁺, and the oxidants used were: hydrogen peroxide and S₂O₈^2?. Strategies adopted to make the processes environmentally benign and economically viable by achieving maximum mineralisation in the shortest possible time are described. Mineralisation efficiency (Em) of various systems was found to follow the order: E_m(Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/UV) > E_m(Fe²⁺/S₂O₈^2?/UV) > E_m(Ag⁺/H₂O₂/UV) ≈ E_m(Ag⁺/S₂O₈^2?/UV). Thus, Fe²⁺ and HP are the most suitable metal ion catalyst and oxidant respectively, showing higher efficiency at pH 3 followed by that at pH 6.6. It is possible to enhance the Fe²⁺/H₂O₂/UV process electrical energy efficiency by maintaining the concentration of Fe at either 0.05 mM or 0.03 mM and that of the oxidant at 2.5 mM. The bioassay study revealed that the Fe²⁺/S₂O₈^2?/UV process biodetoxification efficiency is higher at pH 3 (93.7 %) followed by that at pH 6.6 (80.1 %) at the concentration of Fe ²⁺ and S₂O₈^2? of 0.03 mM and 2.5 mM, respectively. Thus, not only the concentration of Fe²⁺, but also the nature of the oxidant and pH play an important role in the biodetoxification process and S₂O₈^2? possesses higher biodetoxification efficiency than H₂O₂.     

Influence of γ-radiation on the reactivity of montmorillonite towards H2O2

Compacted and water saturated bentonite will be used as an engineered barrier in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste in many countries. Due to the high dose rate of ionizing radiation outside the canisters holding the nuclear waste, radiolysis of the interlayer and pore water in the compacted bentonite is unavoidable. Upon reaction with the oxidizing and reducing species formed by water radiolysis (OH^•, e⁻_(aq), H^•, H₂O₂, H₂, HO₂^•, H₃O⁺), the overall redox properties in the bentonite barrier may change. In this study the influence of γ-radiation on the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio in montmorillonite and its reactivity towards hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was investigated in parallel experiments. The results show that under anoxic conditions the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio of dispersed Montmorillonite increased from ≤3 to 25-30% after γ-doses comparable to repository conditions. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio and the H₂O₂ decomposition rate in montmorillonite dispersions was found. This correlation was further verified in experiments with consecutive H₂O₂ additions, since the structural Fe(II)/Fe_Tot ratio was seen to decrease concordantly. This work shows that the structural iron in montmorillonite could be a sink for one of the major oxidants formed upon water radiolysis in the bentonite barrier, H₂O₂.     

Electrochromism in Materials Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process

Electrochromism is defined as the persistent but reversible optical change (usually transmission) produced electrochemically. The preparation by the sol-gel process of thin films made of amorphous or crystalline nanoparticles of WO₃, V₂O₅, Nb₂O₅, TiO₂, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃ and mixed compounds such as WO₃−TiO₂, CeO₂−TiO₂, CeO₂−SnO₂, have opened remarkable new opportunities for obtaining electrochromic layers exhibiting large optical transmission variation in the UV, visible or infrared range and acceptable kinetics under H⁺ or Li⁺ insertion. In this paper we give an overview of what has been recently achieved in this field, with emphasis for cathodic electrochromic coatings of Nb₂O₅ and TiO₂ composition. Finally we stress the future developments in this fast growing field.     

一步合成铁氮掺杂碳点及其可见光催化

使用柠檬酸、草酸铵作为碳源物质,三氯化铁为铁源,直接热分解法一步合成铁氮掺杂碳纳米粒子。所得的铁氮掺杂碳纳米粒子溶液在365 nm的紫外辐射下发射蓝色荧光。对铁氮掺杂碳纳米粒子进行了XRD、TEM、FTIR、FL、XPS表征。合成的铁氮掺杂碳纳米粒子分散均匀,直径大约3~5 nm。荧光光谱表明:粒子荧光性能优良,发射光谱依赖激发波长变化,具有多色性。此外,合成的掺杂碳纳米粒子溶液在长波长的可见光和红外光激发下有较好的荧光辐射,具有上转换功能。将其应用于可见光光降解亚甲基蓝MB,在MB起始浓度为20 mg·L^-1,不使用氧化剂时,15 h可以使褪色率达到90%;使用过氧化氢为氧化剂,15 min可以达到97%,其光催化性能优良。对其氧化还原反应机理进行了电化学评估,评估结果与理论吻合。     

New insight in the O2 activation by nano Fe/Cu bimetals: The synergistic role of Cu(0) and Fe(II)

This study demonstrated that as-synthesized nano Fe/Cu bimetals could achieve significant enhancement in the degradation of diclofenac (DCF), as compared to much slow removal of DCF by Cu(II) or zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), respectively. Further observations on the evolution of O₂ activation process by nano Fe/Cu bimetals was conducted stretching to the preparation phase (started by nZVI/Cu²⁺). Interesting breakpoints were observed with obvious sudden increase in the DCF degradation efficiency and decrease in solution pH, as the original nZVI just consumed up to Fe(II) and Cu(II) appeared again. It suggested that the four-electrons reaction of O₂ and Cu-deposited nZVI would occur to generate water prior to the breakpoints, while Cu(0) and Fe(II) would play most important role in activation of O₂ afterwards. Through the electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis and quenching experiments, OH was identified as the responsible reactive species. Further time-dependent quantifications in the cases of Cu(0)/Fe(II) systems were carried out. It was found that the OH accumulation was positively and linearly correlated with nCu dose, Fe(II) consumption, and Fe(II) dose, respectively. Since either Cu(0) or Fe(II) would be inefficient in activating oxygen to produce OH, a stage-evolution mechanism of O₂ activated by nano Fe/Cu bimetals was proposed involving: (a) Rapid consumption of Fe(0) and release of Fe(II) based on the Cu-Fe galvanic corrosion, (b) adsorption and transformation of O₂ to O₂²⁻ at the nCu surface, and (c) Fe(II)-catalyzed activation of the adsorbed O₂²⁻ to OH.