Efficient fenton-like degradation of ofloxacin over bimetallic Fe–Cu@Sepiolite composite

Abstract An effective method for increasing the utilization efficiency of active components in heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts was provided. 1.5 at.% Fe–Cu bimetal on 1D sepiolite (Sep) (D-FeCu@Sep) with high dispersion and reduced chemical valence was prepared via complexation-carbonization process of glutathione. 93% of ofloxacin (OFX, a typical antibiotic of emerging concern) was degraded over D-FeCu@Sep without any extra energy input at the optimum conditions (100 mL 10 mg/L OFX, pH 5.0, 3.0 g/L catalyst and 0.03 M H2O2), which was enhanced by 2.3, 3.0 and 1.7 times compared with aggregated Fe–Cu on Sep (A-FeCu@Sep), monometallic Fe on Sep (D-Fe@Sep) and Fe–Cu on blocky Celite (D-FeCu@Celite), respectively. Moreover, it exhibited an excellent performance at a wide working pH range from acidic to neutral conditions (pH 3.2–7.2) with a satisfied stability. Based on the characterizations of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the proposed complexation-carbonization process of glutathione played an important role in the good Fenton performance of D-FeCu@Sep. The complexation of Fe and Cu ion by glutathione favors the high dispersion of Fe–Cu active component, afterward the reduced chemical valence results from carbonization process of glutathione. Moreover, the 1D nanofibrous structure of D-FeCu@Sep could greatly increase the surface electron transfer efficiency compared with D-FeCu@Celite. This study provides a method alternative to the heterogeneous Fenton chemistry by increasing the utilization efficiency of active components.