Degradation of pollutants by electrically activated peroxydisulfate with Cu-FeOCl/MWCNTs-COOH/PTFE electrochemical membranes

Abstract

Cu-FeOCl catalyst loaded onto Carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes-polytetrafluoroethylene membranes (MWCNTs-COOH/PTFE) by high temperature pyrolysis to form Cu-FeOCl/MWCNTs-COOH/PTFE electrode. The Scanning Electron Microscope results show that the surface of the material shows a layered structure with large specific surface area. And it can be observed by X-Ray Diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer that the doping of Cu affects the energy bands and crystallographic changes among other elements. Degradation of 98 % was achieved by electrically activating peroxydisulfate and sequestering sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in the flow system, and 92 % within 60 min in the immobility reaction. The flux of the membrane against bovine serum albumin and the recovery of the degradation rate after cyclic flux testing were also explored. In addition, the electrode is applied to the degradation of pollutants in the muddy water. Through the synergistic action of anodic oxidation and cathodic activation of PDS, active species such as hydroxyl radical (OH), sulfate radicals (SO₄⁻), and superoxide radicals (O₂⁻) are generated in the reaction system, accompanied by the generation of high valence metals in the anode. Fe-Cu bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical activation of PDS for pollutant degradation is a feasible and efficient material.