Preparation of delafossite–type CuFeO2 powders by conventional and microwave–assisted hydrothermal routes for use as photo–Fenton catalysts

Abstract

In this work, delafossite–type CuFeO2 powders were prepared by conventional hydrothermal and microwave–assisted hydrothermal routes and employed as potential catalysts in photo–Fenton reaction. The degradation efficiency of Reactive Red 141 dye under visible light was investigated. The solids were characterized by XRD, FTIR, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, SEM/EDX and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The sample prepared by microwave irradiation presented higher values of specific surface area and total pore volume as well as smaller band–gap energy. The synergistic effects of these properties favored the superior catalytic activity when compared to the material prepared by the conventional hydrothermal route. About 98% of dye degradation was obtained at 30 min for the CuFeO2 sample prepared by microwave irradiation against 84% at 150 min for that prepared by conventional method. In addition, the CuFeO2 catalyst prepared by microwave route showed high chemical stability and dye degradation efficiency after four cycles.