Enhanced catalytic activation of photo-Fenton process by Cu0·5Mn0·5Fe2O4 for effective removal of organic contaminants

Abstract In this study, Cu0·5Mn0·5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized through a facile coprecipitation process, evaluated as highly efficient photo-Fenton catalyst for removal of bisphenol A (BPA). Benefit for its larger surface area and unique chemical composition, the Cu0·5Mn0·5Fe2O4 catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity toward the degradation of BPA, with a rate constant values ranging from 0.247 to 1.090 min−1 based on different operating parameters (catalyst load, initial solution pH, H2O2 concentration and reaction temperature). Importantly, an excellent BPA removal efficiency exceeding 95.2% were obtained after eight successive runs of photo-Fenton process. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and radical scavenger experiments demonstrated that the hydroxyl radical was the dominant radical in degradation of BPA. A possible BPA degradation pathway was proposed according to the detected intermediates by GC-MS and HPLC. In brief, this work is expected to provide a new heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for the organic pollutants removal from wastewater.