Experimental and theoretical study on degradation of oxidized C60 in water via photo-Fenton method

Abstract

With popular application of fullerene (C60) and its derivative in functional materials, they have been discharged into water. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an effective and environmentally friendly method for removing C60 and its derivative from water. However, an efficient method of degradation of C60 and its derivative in water hasn’t been reported. C60 in water can be oxidized by light to give oxidized C60 (OC60), therefore, degradation of OC60 plays a key role in removal of C60 and its derivative in water. In this paper, OC60 was effectively degraded via photo-Fenton method to give carbon dioxide and H2O. The degradation process was monitored by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Degradation intermediates were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Density functional theory calculations were used to study the mechanism of hydroxyl radical reaction. Based on experimental data and Gaussian calculations, degradation mechanism of OC60 in water was proposed.