3D nano-scale perovskite-based composite as Fenton-like system for efficient oxidative degradation of ketoprofen

Novel perovskite-based composite BiFeO3/carbon aerogel (BFO/CA) as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst with three-dimensional (3D) structure, nano-scaled size and high surface area was fabricated by a sol-gel method. Catalyst characterization showed nano BFO active sites were not simply placed on the surface of support CA, but grown along with the 3D structure of CA. The reactivity of catalyst was investigated by the oxidation of ketoprofen as a model pollutant, which exhibited efficient catalytic activity. Moreover, nano BFO/CA retained almost its high catalytic activity in wide pH range of 3-7, and had a very low iron leaching even in acidic condition. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.