Simple and green method for preparing copper nanoparticles supported on carbonized cotton as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst

Abstract

In this study, copper nanoparticles supported on carbonized cotton as a heterogeneous Fenton-like three-dimensional (3D) structure catalyst were constructed for catalytic degradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Rhodamine-B, and Reactive Red X-3B. Herein, cotton in natural fibers was used as a carbon source, which provides a new method for the preparation of catalysts supported by carbon materials. In copper@carbonized cotton nanoparticles (CCCNs), the carbon layer is produced during the calcination process, which not only enhances the conversion of Cu0 to Cu+/Cu2+, but also accelerates the electron transfer and promotes the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate·OH radicals. In a wide pH range (3−7), the CCCNs/H2O2 system could effectively degrade PVA, and the removal rates of PVA and TOC were found to be 99.5% and 98.68%, respectively. The optimized experimental conditions are as follows: pH, 7; mass ratio of Cu(OH)2CO3 to cotton, 10:4; catalyst dosage, 2.6 g L−1; reaction temperature, 65 °C; H2O2 dosage, 0.16 g mL−1, and without adjusting pH. In addition to the high catalytic activity, CCCNs exhibited good stability and reusability due to the strong 3D carbon layer. The CCCN composite material has been proven to be ideal catalyst to enhance the removal rate of the heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction system in removing organic pollutants present in wastewater.