Ultra-fast degradation of phenolics and dyes by Cu2O/Cu catalysts: Synthesis and degradation kinetics

The complex and time-consuming character of the current methods to synthesize cuprous catalysts hampers use of such compounds as replacements for noble metal catalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants. Herein, we report on the development of a simple one-pot method for synthesis of Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles. The method was comprised of adding benzyl alcohol during the process of nanoparticle synthesis, where the amount of benzyl alcohol used determined the content of Cu in the obtained nanoparticles. A thorough physicochemical characterization was carried out for the synthesized nanoparticles, where it was found that they could act as catalysts for ultra-fast degradation of phenolics and dyes. Thus, their catalytic activity for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol, methyl orange, and Congo red were evaluated, where pseudo-first-order kinetics were observed. The percentage degradation and rate constant (k(app)) values were, respectively, 98% (in 60 s) and k(app) = 61.23 x 10(-3) s(-1) for 4-nitrophenol, 96% (in 100 s) and k(app) = 31.5 x 10(-3) s(-1) for methyl orange, and 97% (in 100 s) and k(app) = 35.5 x 10(-3) s(-1) for Congo red. Comparisons with previously reported cuprous catalysts for degradation of these compounds revealed that the Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles of the present paper exhibited the fastest degradation rates.

Automated summary

A simple one-pot method for synthesizing Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles was developed and characterized in this study. The nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic activity for the degradation of phenolics and dyes, exhibiting the fastest degradation rates compared to previously reported cuprous catalysts.