Synergistic effects boost electrocatalytic reduction of bromate on supported bimetallic Ru-Cu catalyst

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-09, Vol.438, p.129551-129551, Article 129551
• Main Authors: Wu, Tianyi, Hu, Jiajia, Wan, Yuqiu, Qu, Xiaolei, Zheng, Shourong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic RuCu/CNT catalyst; Bromate reduction; Direct and indirect reduction pathway; Electrocatalytic reduction; Synergistic effects
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129551

Bromate is a commonly identified carcinogenic and genotoxic disinfection byproduct in water. In the present work, bimetallic Ru-Cu catalyst supported on carbon nanotube (RuCu/CNT) was prepared and the structural properties of the catalysts were characterized. The results show that the presence of Ru enhances the dispersion and reduction of Cu particles in the RuCu/CNT catalyst in comparison with the monometallic Cu catalyst supported on CNT (Cu/CNT). For electrocatalytic reaction on Cu/CNT, bromate is reduced on metallic Cu surface via a redox process. For Ru/CNT, highly active H* radicals are generated on metallic Ru surface via the Volmer process and are used for bromate reduction. As for the RuCu/CNT, bromate is reduced through two main pathways, including direct redox reaction on metallic Cu and indirect reduction by active H* radicals on Ru surface. Accordingly, RuCu/CNT exhibits the highest catalytic activity, ascribed to the synergistic effect between metallic Ru and Cu. Furthermore, the bimetallic catalyst displays much higher catalytic efficiency as compared with previously reported results. The pH, initial bromate concentration, in-situ electrochemical reduction of the electrodes and working potential have strong impacts on the removal efficiency of bromate on RuCu/CNT. [Display omitted] •Bimetallic Ru-Cu supported on CNTs is prepared and applied in electrocatalytic bromate reduction.•Ru-Cu/CNT displays a higher catalytic activity than Ru/CNT and Cu/CNT.•The synergistic effects between Ru and Cu account for the higher activity of Ru-Cu/CNT.