Effective electro-Fenton-like process for phenol degradation on cerium oxide hollow spheres encapsulated in porous carbon cathode derived from skimmed cotton

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2021-05, Vol.270, p.128661, Article 128661
• Main Authors: Chen, Jie, Wan, Jiafeng, Gong, Yuguo, Xu, Ke, Zhang, Huidi, Chen, Lina, Liu, Jinqiao, Liu, Chuntao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Catalysis; Cerium; Electrocatalytic; Electrodes; Fenton-like catalyst; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydroxyl radical; Porosity; Porous carbon; Silicon Dioxide
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128661

The uniform size cerium dioxide hollow spheres which were prepared by the SiO2 hard template method were loaded on microporous porous carbon obtained by carbonization derived from skimmed cotton (CSC) for electro-Fenton-like degradation of phenol. The microstructures of CSC/CeO2 composite materials were characterized utilizing XRD, BET, XPS, SEM, and TEM. The electrochemical performance of the CSC/CeO2 cathodes was studied through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The prepared CSC has a hollow tubular structure, and cerium dioxide is evenly loaded on the surface of the CSC in the form of uniform-sized hollow spheres. The CSC/CeO2 materials have a great specific surface area (287.73 m2 g−1) and a uniform poresize. The electrochemical performance analysis demonstrated that the redox ability of the material greatly was improved by loading CeO2 on the porous carbon surface of the skimmed cotton. The load ratio of cerium dioxide hollow spheres affects the structure and properties of CSC/CeO2 materials. Ce3+ and Ce4+ were co-existed in CSC/CeO2, which promoted the generation of H2O2 and .OH, and improved the catalytic activity of composite materials. The degradation efficiency of phenol reached 97.6% in 120 min, and the CSC/CeO2 cathode manifested excellent stability after being experimented 20 times. CSC/CeO2 composite material has great practical value in the treatment of phenolic wastewater and has promise for further application. •Degradation of phenol by Fenton-like reaction of CSC/CeO2 cathode.•The prepared CSC/CeO2 cathode had excellent electrocatalytic properties.•The valence transition of Ce3+/Ce4+ accelerates the degradation efficiency of phenol.•H2O2 and .OH play a vital role in electrocatalytic degradation.