FeOCl Nanoparticles Loaded onto Oxygen-Enriched Carbon Nanotubes and Nickel-Foam-Based Cathodes for the Electro-Fenton Degradation of Pollutants

Abstract

Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) are a class of promising technologies for wastewater remediation. The challenge of EAOPs is the in situ generation and activation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to evolve reactive oxygen species (ROS) simultaneously with low energy consumption and high performances. In this work, we designed an EAOP system, coupling FeOCl nanoparticles on oxygen-enriched carbon nanotubes (O-CNTs) and a nickel foam (FeOCl/O-CNTs/NF) cathode for electro-Fenton (EF) reactions and an IrO2/Ti anode for anodic oxidation (AO) simultaneously. Specifically, the defects and oxygen functional groups on O-CNTs introduced by a modified Hummers’ method could induce the charge redistribution of O-CNTs for outstanding two-electron oxygen-reduction-reaction performances (H2O2 selectivity of 73%) and provide more anchoring sites for the loading of active cocatalyst nanoparticles. Thus, abundant FeOCl nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto O-CNTs. Such a FeOCl/O-CNTs/NF cathode exhibited a high H2O2 production rate of 95 mmol gcat –1 h–1 because of the improved exposure of catalytic active sites supported on nickel foam to attain a large specific surface area. •OH was generated from H2O2 via both heterogeneous and homogeneous EF processes induced by the FeOCl/O-CNTs/NF cathode and leached ferrous ions accordingly. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was completely removed within 30 min at a low specific energy consumption of 0.024 kWh g–1 SMX–1. Thus, the simultaneous FeOCl/O-CNTs/NF-based EF system and AO provide an efficient and cost-effective technology for organic contaminant remediation.

Synthesis of Bi25FeO40 Nanoparticles with Oxygen Vacancies via Ball Milling for Fenton Oxidation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride and Reduction of Cr(VI)

“…14−17 However, their catalytic activity cannot meet with practical application due to the low reduction rate of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ by H 2 O 2 where the rate-limiting step and key issue in Fenton reactions is. 18,19 Thus, many strategies are proposed and investigated to accelerate H 2 O 2 decomposition and the Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ cycle. 20 Previous studies have demonstrated that oxygen vacancies (OVs) show great potential in certain metaloxide-based Fenton systems attributed to the influence of electron structures, charge transport, and surface properties on the catalysts.…”

“…Furthermore, they have received growing attention for their multifunctionalization in various applications . The weak ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and various catalytic properties of bismuth ferrites were reported in favor of the wide application in ferroelectric memory, information storage, sensors, and environmental purification. − However, their catalytic activity cannot meet with practical application due to the low reduction rate of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ by H 2 O 2 where the rate-limiting step and key issue in Fenton reactions is. , Thus, many strategies are proposed and investigated to accelerate H 2 O 2 decomposition and the Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ cycle . Previous studies have demonstrated that oxygen vacancies (OVs) show great potential in certain metal-oxide-based Fenton systems attributed to the influence of electron structures, charge transport, and surface properties on the catalysts .…”

Overcoming the Activity–Stability Trade-Off in Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton Catalysis: Encapsulating Carbon Cloth-Supported Iron Oxychloride within Graphitic Layers

“…Herein, an efficient and robust strategy is proposed for assembling reduced graphene oxide-encapsulated iron oxychloride-integrated carbon cloth (FeOCl/CC@rGO) composite cathodes with a well-controlled hierarchical structure via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). FeOCl was selected as the catalyst due to its excellent activity for H 2 O 2 decomposition, − and the performance of the prepared cathode was assessed in terms of its service life and reactivity. Furthermore, by integrating control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the structure–property relationship and electron modulation mechanism of this chainmail catalysis in catalytic heterogeneous EF activation were determined.…”

ACS Applied Nano Materials Australia Forum

“…Whereas, in a multidisciplinary collaboration between universities and institutions from South Australia, including the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, the authors utilized hydrothermal etching to engineer spikelike nanostructures on titanium substrates for the treatment of anaerobic dental pathogens . In another work led by the University of Adelaide, Zhong et al developed cathodes based on FeOCl nanoparticles decorated on oxygen-enriched carbon nanotubes for the electro-Fenton degradation of pollutants …”

“…7 In another work led by the University of Adelaide, Zhong et al developed cathodes based on FeOCl nanoparticles decorated on oxygen-enriched carbon nanotubes for the electro-Fenton degradation of pollutants. 8 Two of the Australian research groups in the forum used nanomaterials to generate high-efficiency optical devices with enhanced properties. Here, Gunenthiran et al from the University of Adelaide engineered nanoporous anodized alumina for developing photonic crystals.…”