Synergistic Effect between Ni and Ce Dual Active Centers Initiated by Activated Fullerene Soot for Electro-Fenton Degradation of Tetracycline

Abstract

The degradation of a high concentration of organic pollutants has long been a challenge to water restoration, and the development of electro-Fenton catalysis offers a practical approach to solving this problem. In this study, a novel electro-Fenton catalyst, activated fullerene soot-loaded NiO-doped CeO2 (0.4(0.4NiO-CeO2)-AFS) nanoparticles, was prepared through the impregnation of 0.4NiO-CeO2 particles and activated fullerene soot (AFS). When applied for the degradation of 200 mg/L of tetracycline, this catalyst demonstrated a degradation rate as high as 99%. Even after 20 cycles, the degradation rate was more than 80%. Moreover, it was concluded that AFS could initiate the synergistic effect between Ni and Ce dual active centers in the degradation of tetracycline; this can be ascribed to the extremely large specific surface area of AFS.