Elevated degradation of di-n-butyl phthalate by activating peroxymonosulfate over GO-CoFe2O4 composites: Synergistic effects and mechanisms

• Published in: Chinese chemical letters 2023-12, Vol.34 (12), p.108397-317, Article 108397
• Main Authors: Liu, Qingliang, Qie, Hang, Sun, Zhiqiang, Zhen, Yufei, Wu, Liying, Zhao, Ying, Ma, Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cobalt ferrite; Di-n-butyl phthalate; Graphene oxide; Peroxymonosulfate; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 1001-8417; 1878-5964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108397

Rational design of heterogeneous catalysts with high activity and stability is crucial in peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based oxidation treatment of wastewater. Herein, the graphite oxide-cobalt ferrite (GO-CoFe2O4) composite was constructed, and its morphological, component and structural characteristics were thoroughly examined, respectively. GO-CoFe2O4 obviously boosted PMS catalytic performance on di-n-butyl phthalate removal (DBP, RDBP = 90%, RTOC = 37%), which indicated by the first-order kinetic constant (kDBP = 0.060 min−1) being roughly 4 times than pure CoFe2O4 (kDBP = 0.015 min−1). The fabrication of GO-CoFe2O4 brought the favorable stability and repeatability up to six cycles. Moreover, the method of batch dosing catalyst was creatively proposed to improve the PMS utilization efficiency. The coupling of GO enhanced the dispersion of CoFe2O4 particles to obtain sufficient active sites, additionally, the plentiful C=O groups and free-flowing electrons on GO promoted GO-CoFe2O4 to coordinate a redox process during PMS activation. With the aid of theoretical calculations, GO-CoFe2O4 was revealed to exhibit a strong affinity toward PMS adsorption, where PMS spontaneously dissociated into sulfate radical (SO4•−), hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2), acting as the reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Electrons cycling between Co, Fe and O species ensured continuous ROSs generation and excellent catalytic performance. This work developed the graphite oxide-cobalt ferrite (GO-CoFe2O4) composite to boost peroxymonosulfate (PMS) catalytic performance on di-n-butyl phthalate removal. Synergy of GO and CoFe2O4 could facilitate the production of SO4•−, •OH and 1O2. [Display omitted]