Ferric (hydr)oxide/mesoporous carbon composites as Fenton-like catalysts for degradation of phenol

Ferric (hydr)oxide (Fhy) is the most widespread iron compound in natural environments which participates in the photochemical process and production of reactive oxygen species in soil and sediment. Three typical Fhy/mesoporous carbon (Fhy/MC) composites in which Fhy nanoparticles (NPs), nanorods (NRs) and/microrods (MRs) crystallized within and/or attached on MC materials were prepared by a hydrothermal process at 70 A degrees C. We explored the performance of Fenton-like oxidation of phenol and mineralization in the presence of H2O2 at a near-neutral pH value (pH = 5). The results showed that Fhy-NP/MC composite in which Fhy NPs were encapsulated in MC frameworks showed the highest catalytic performance due to the plentiful active surface available in comparison with the other two Fhy/MC composites containing larger Fhy NRs or MRs. The recycling test showed Fhy-NP/MC composite retained the high catalytic activity after 5 runs. Visible light irradiation can obviously promote the phenol oxidation performance and the decomposition of H2O2 due to the increased production amount of HO center dot than that in dark conditions. Hydroxyl radical measurement also revealed that the synergistic effect between Fhy and MC. [GRAPHICS] .