Co-catalytic effect of WS2 on the copper slag mediated peroxodisulfate activation for the simultaneous elimination of typical flotation reagent benzotriazole and Cr(VI)

In this study, efficient simultaneous elimination of typical mine pollutants benzotriazole (BTA) and Cr(VI) was achieved by using a copper slag (CS) activated peroxodisulfate (PDS) Fenton system, with WS2 as a co-catalyst. The combined use of these two mine-sourced materials enables excellent pollution removal efficiency. CS can continuously release ferrous ions for the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), while WS2 as a co-catalyst has key roles in acceleration of the rate-limiting step of Fe3+/Fe2+ conversion and prevention of Fe3+ precipitation. In this process, Fe3+/Fe2+ conversion primarily occurs on the surface of WS2, whereas PDS decomposition and BTA degradation are dominated by homogeneous Fenton reactions. Dissolved Fe2+ has a main role in the activation of PDS and generation of ROS. The contributions of free radicals, singlet oxygen and Fe(IV) in BTA degradation were carefully evaluated. Fe(IV) was identified as the major ROS responsible for degradation of BTA in the CS/WS2/PDS system. This was further confirmed by the Raman spectra and the detection of BTA degradation products formed by the transfer of oxygen atoms. Kinetics calculation showed that Fe(IV) was responsible for 63.4 % of the degradation of BTA. More importantly, water matrix had a low impact on the degradation of BTA due to the high selectivity of Fe(IV). This study provides a new strategy for a cost-effective and efficient decontamination of the environment in mining areas.

Automated summary

A copper slag activated peroxodisulfate Fenton system, with WS2 as a co-catalyst, was used for efficient simultaneous removal of typical mine pollutants BTA and Cr(VI). The combination of copper slag and WS2 enabled excellent pollution removal efficiency. The process involved surface reactions on WS2 for Fe3+/Fe2+ conversion, and homogeneous Fenton reactions for PDS decomposition and BTA degradation. Fe(IV) was identified as the major ROS responsible for BTA degradation in the CS/WS2/PDS system. This study provides a cost-effective and efficient strategy for decontamination in mining areas.