High efficiency degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol using Cu2S/Cu2O decorated nanoscale zerovalent iron via adsorption and photocatalytic performances

In this work, a novel cuprous sulfide (Cu2S) and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) decorated iron-based nanoparticles (INPs) were developed (Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B, B denote bentonite) and applied for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared catalyst were characterized via SEM, TEM, BET, DRS, and EIS. Results of TEM images exhibited the deposition of copper species could improve the morphology and reduce the mean particles size effectively. Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B exhibited excellent catalytic performance to degrade 2,4-DCP by adsorption, Fenton-like oxidation and photocatalytic processes. Under optimal conditions, the degradation percentages caused by adsorption, adsorption-Fenton like and adsorption-Fenton like-photo -catalytic processes were about 27.6%, 74.58% and 99.8%, respectively. Furthermore, GC-MS served to identify the intermediates and final products, a possible mechanism and degradation pathway for 2,4-DCP were proposed based on the intermediate by-products detection and active radicals' detection. The reusability of Cu2S/Cu2O-nZVI@B was achieved with four successive runs. Research provides a promising approach for the treatment of chlorophenols polluted water.

Automated summary

A novel type of iron-based nanoparticles decorated with cuprous sulfide and cuprous oxide was developed for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol. The catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance through adsorption, Fenton-like oxidation, and photocatalytic processes. The research provides a promising approach for the treatment of chlorophenols polluted water.