Preparation and characterization of Cu3(PO4)2 as catalyst for Fenton-like reactions

Abstract

The removal of organic pollutants, particularly textile dyes, using green and efficient methods is a key focus for researchers addressing environmental pollution. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), especially the Fenton-like process, have garnered significant attention for their ability to break down recalcitrant organic molecules into harmless byproducts, namely water and carbon dioxide, through the generation of hydroxyl radicals (^·OH). In this study, a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst, copper phosphate Cu₃(PO₄)₂, was synthesized in the presence of oxalate to achieve a unique morphology. The material was characterized by various physicochemical techniques, including TG, XRD, SEM, UV–Vis, XPS, photoluminescence (PL), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), to evaluate its potential for degrading Basic Yellow 28 (BY-28), a common organic dye of the textile industry. The degradation process was conducted at neutral pH with a BY-28 dye concentration of 20 mg L⁻¹ and a catalyst dose of 1 g L⁻¹. The catalytic activity is attributed to the high concentration of Cu²⁺ on the catalyst surface, which efficiently generates ^•OH radicals by activating hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).