Degradation of Rhodamine B by CuFe2O4 nanoparticles anchored on montmorillonite as an activator of sodium persulfate

Abstract

Background: Advanced oxidation techniques based on sulfate radicals can be more effective in dealing with the threats posed by dye wastewater. Methods: In this study, a series of montmorillonite-loaded CuFe2O4 (CFO, 1-CFO/Mt, 2-CFO/Mt, 3-CFO/Mt) composites were prepared using a simple one-pot solvent method for the activation of sodium persulfate (PDS) for the removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) from water. Significant findings: The efficient catalytic activity of the composite catalyst was verified by the degradation of RhB with different systems, and the efficient adsorption of this catalyst accelerated the reaction process of pollutant degradation. The results showed that 97.7% of RhB could be removed within 25 min using 0.3 g/L of 2-CFO/Mt composite catalyst and 1 mM of PDS at the initial pH = 7.5; In addition, the composite catalyst can show good catalytic performance in a wide pH range. It still has high catalytic activity after 3 cycles. The involvement of SO4•−, •OH, 1O2, and O2•− in the degradation of RhB by the 2-CFO/Mt/PDS system was determined by radical quenching experiments as well as EPR test analysis, in which 1O2 dominated in the degradation of RhB by the 2-CFO/Mt/PDS system. Overall, 2-CFO/Mt has significant potential as a PDS activator in the treatment of RhB in water.