Preparation of a novel Ag/CFOOVs composite catalyst and efficient degradation of phenol in a H2O2-based Fenton-like system

Although CuFe2O4 has been widely used in the field of Fenton-like wastewater treatment, its ability to activate H2O2 still needs to be further improved. In this context, a novel Agx/CFOOVs (x represents the theoretical mass percentage of Ag) composite catalyst was prepared by the tartaric acid reduction method for the first time, and its degradation performance and degradation mechanism of Phenol in a H2O2-based Fenton-like system were investigated. Through a series of characterizations, the successful preparation of the catalyst was confirmed. The degradation experiment showed that the degradation rate of 50 mg/L Phenol by Ag2/CFOOVs/H2O2 system was 98.55% within 15 min, which was a significant improvement in the degradation efficiency compared with that of CuFe2O4 and CFOOVs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) confirmed the successful introduction of oxygen vacancies (OVs). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that Ag2/CFOOVs had the lowest impedance, and the synergistic effect of OVs and Ag effectively enhanced the degradation capability of the catalysts for Phenol. The capture experiments of active species and ESR tests showed that the main active species of the Ag2/CFOOVs/H2O2 system were 1O2 and center dot OH. This study provides a new reference for the introduction of OVs and Ag in Fenton-like catalysts and their application to wastewater treatment.