Enhanced heterogeneous electro-Fenton process for degradation of rhodamine B: FeOCl/CF@AB composite cathode with superior efficiency and sustainability

Abstract

With the growing environmental concerns and increasing demand for clean energy, the synthesis of Stable and efficient heterogeneous Electro-Fenton catalysts gains significant attention in the market. We present a novel FeOCl/CF@AB composite cathode designed for efficient heterogeneous electro-Fenton degradation of rhodamine B. The composite cathode exhibits remarkable catalytic performance, outperforming the raw carbon felt electrode, and achieving significantly higher rhodamine B degradation rates. The incorporation of acetylene black encapsulation provides excellent stability, preserving the FeOCl active sites from corrosion and ensuring sustained catalytic activity even after multiple reuse cycles. The electron penetration mechanism on the FeOCl/CF@AB cathode is elucidated through density functional theory calculations, revealing spontaneous O2 activation and H2O2 generation. Electron transfer between Fe(II) species and the acetylene black shell facilitates these processes. The presence of •OH species supports the degradation of rhodamine B to intermediates and mineralization to CO2 and H2O. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis unveils the detoxification effect of the electro-Fenton process with FeOCl/CF@AB, presenting reduced developmental toxicity of degradation intermediates. Economic cost analysis demonstrates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the FeOCl/CF@AB cathode for large-scale wastewater treatment applications. In conclusion, the FeOCl/CF@AB composite cathode showcases stability and efficiency, offering a promising and sustainable electro-Fenton technology for dye wastewater treatment.