Cu(I)-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles/porous C composite for enhanced H2O2 oxidation of carbamazepine.

Cu(I) doped nano-Fe3O4 were synthesized and loaded on ordered porous carbon materials using a facile co-precipitated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, HRTEM, FESEM-EDX mapping and N2 adsorption-desorption. The results showed that the crystal unit cell of Fe3O4 was enlarged due to the implantation of small amount of Cu(I) into the Fe3O4 structure (Fe2.85Cu0.15O4). With increased Cu content, the catalyst was dominated with Cu2O and the Fe3O4 phase disappeared, the catalytic performance of Fe-Cu bimetal oxide became worse. The Cu(I)-Fe3O4/C composite was enriched with Fe(II), Fe(III) and Cu(I) sites. The prepared Cu-Fe bimetal oxide/C composite exhibited higher specific TOF and oxidation efficiency E on carbamazepine oxidation than Fe2.85Cu0.15O4 and Fe3O4. The enhanced catalytic reactivity was attributed to the synergetic effect of surface Fe and Cu species on the H2O2 activation. The dissolved metals induced catalytic reaction at pH 4.5-8.1 was ignorable. Thus, the catalytic decomposition of H2O2 by Cu-Fe3O4/C at near neutral pH was controlled by interface reactions. The CBZ in the close proximity to the interface was attacked by the generated ROS and formed urea, 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and other oxidative products.