Oxidation of 4-chlorophenol catalyzed by Cu(II) complexes under mild conditions: Kinetics and mechanism

Degradation of Methylene Blue with a Cu(II)-Quinoline Complex Immobilized on a Silica Support as a Photo-Fenton-Like Catalyst

A Cu(II)-quinoline complex immobilized on a silica support was prepared to enhance the degradation of dyes. Mesoporous silica functionalized with this Cu(II) complex was turned into a photo-Fenton-like catalyst. Various techniques were used to characterize the resulting material, and the catalytic activity was determined by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The Cu(II) ion was successfully coordinated to the quinoline ligand on a silica support. The dye degradation investigation has shown that 95% of the dye was degraded in 2.5 h. The active radical species involved in the reaction were OH^• and O₂ ^•-, suggesting that a peroxo complex intermediate might be formed during degradation processes.

New insights into the mechanisms of tartaric acid enhancing homogeneous and heterogeneous copper-catalyzed Fenton-like systems

The specific roles of tartaric acid (TA), as an eco-friendly ligand, in homogeneous and heterogeneous copper-catalyzed systems were systematically revealed and new mechanisms of TA enhancing the three Fenton-like processes were proposed to provide a theoretical significance in overcoming the deficiency of conventional Fenton processes. The results identified hydroxyl radical (•OH) as the main species responsible for the simultaneous decomposition of TA and metronidazole (MNZ) according to TOC removal. The ESR technique was used to detect superoxide radicals (•O₂^-), carbon-centered radical (•R) and hydrogen radical (•H) in the Cu²⁺/TA/H₂O₂ system, which contributed to the acceleration of the Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox cycle. The enhancing effect of TA on the homogeneous process was ascribed to the formation of a soluble complex with Cu²⁺, which favored the pH range extension, Cu⁺ oxidation, and radical generation. Moreover, the adsorption of TA on the catalysts surface promoted the consumption of H₂O₂, inducing •OH generation. The formed surface complex (≡Cu²⁺-TA) also accelerated the regeneration of ≡Cu⁺, which was confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculation and surface characterization analysis (SEM, XRD, and XPS). The possible degradation pathways of MNZ in TA-modified Fenton-like system were also clarified.

Nano-PAA-CuCl2 Composite as Fenton-Like Reusable Catalyst to Enhanced Degrade Organic Pollutant MB/MO

The treatment of organic dye contaminants in wastewaters has now becoming more imperative. Fenton-like degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution was investigated by using a nanostructure that a layer of CuCl2 nanoflake film grown on the top surface of nanoporus anodic alumina substrate (nano-PAA-CuCl2) as catalyst. The new nano-PAA-CuCl2 composite was fabricated with self-assembly approach, that is, a network porous structure film composed of CuCl2 nanoflake grown on the upper surface of nanoporous anodic alumina substrate, and the physical and chemical properties are characterized systematically with the X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The experimental results showed that the nano-PAA-CuCl2 catalyst presented excellent properties for the degradation of two typical organic pollutants such as MB and MO, which were almost completely degraded with 8 × 10−4mol/L nano-PAA-CuCl2 catalyst after 46 min and 60 min at reaction conditions of H2O2 18 mM and 23 mM, respectively. The effects of different reaction parameters such as initial pH, H2O2 concentration, catalyst morphology and temperature were attentively studied. And more, the stability and reusability of nano-PAA-CuCl2 were examined. Finally, the mechanism of MB and MO degradation by the nano-PAA-CuCl2/H2O2 system was proposed, based on the experimental data of the BCA and the temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and theoretical analysis, the reaction kinetics belonged to the pseudo-first-order equation. This new nanoporous composite material and preparation technology, as well as its application in Fenton-like reaction, provide an effective alternative method with practical application significance for wastewater treatment.

Complexation Enhances Cu(II)-Activated Peroxydisulfate: A Novel Activation Mechanism and Cu(III) Contribution

While aqueous free Cu(II) ion is known to be ineffective to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS), here we report for the first time that Cu(II) complexes are potentially effective activators for PDS when the coordination involves suitable ligands. Using cefalexin (CFX) as a representative, studies show that the complex of Cu(II) with CFX can efficiently activate PDS to induce rapid degradation of CFX. Transformation products of CFX by PDS/Cu(II) differ substantially from those generated from the typical radical oxidation process, for example, PDS/Ag(I), but quite resemble the products from oxidation of CFX by Cu(III). Complexation with CFX increases the electron density of Cu(II), favoring electron transfer from Cu(II) to PDS to generate radicals and Cu(III). The produced Cu(III), rather than radicals, plays the primary role in the overall CFX degradation and regenerates Cu(II) in a catalytic cycle. This novel activation process can occur for a wide range of contaminants (cephalosporin, penicillin, and tetracycline antibiotics) and ligands when coordinated with Cu(II), and N-containing functional groups (e.g. amines) were found to form effective Cu(II) complexes for PDS activation. The new findings of this study further broaden the knowledge on PDS activation by aqueous Cu(II), and verify the contribution of Cu(III) to contaminant elimination.

Using coal fly ash as a support for Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) and utilizing the materials as novel oxidation catalysts for 4-chlorophenol mineralization

In this work, Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) were incorporated into waste coal fly ash used as a catalyst support by refluxing with the appropriate aqueous salt solution. The materials were calcined at 773-873 K for 5 h and the amount of divalent cations entering into the fly ash was determined by AAS measurements. Further characterization included estimation of oxides by XRF, structural properties by XRD, topographical features by SEM, surface functional groups by FT-IR, surface area and pore dimensions by BET N2-adsorption isotherms. The efficiency of the materials as environmental oxidation catalysts were tested with respect to destruction of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in water in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Considered as one of the most persistent, toxic and largely applied organic compound, 4-CP enters water from the effluents of petrochemical, plastic, pesticide, kraft mill and other organochemical industries and research centers. Wet oxidation of 4-CP was tested by varying the mole ratio of 4-CP and H2O2, catalyst load, temperature, reaction time, 4-CP concentration and pH. Oxidation of 4-CP (5 × 10(-3) M or 643 mg L(-1)) was 51.1% for Mn(II)-fly ash, 58.3% for Co(II)-fly ash and 61.0% for Ni(II)-fly ash after 180 min at 323 K with 4-CP: H2O2 mole ratio of 1:1. COD load of the reaction mixture (4-CP: 5 × 10(-3) M, H2O2: 5 × 10(-3) M, catalyst load: 1.0 g L(-1), temperature 323 K, reaction time 0-240 min) decreased from 1480 to 620, 380, and 140 mg L(-1) respectively after oxidation with Mn(II)-fly ash, Co(II)-fly ash and Ni(II)-fly ash (overall COD reduction was 58.0, 74.3 and 90.5% respectively). The oxidation followed second order kinetics with the average rate coefficient of 7.9, 1.3 and 1.2 L mol(-1) min(-1) for Mn(II)-, Co(II)- and Ni(II)-fly ash. Increase in H2O2: 4-CP mole ratio from 1:1 to 20:1 (reaction time 300 min, catalyst load 1.0 g L(-1)) enhanced destruction from 52.1 to 95.6% for Mn(II)-fly ash, 58.3-95.6% for Co(II)-fly ash and from 60.4 to 94.8% for Ni(II)-fly ash. The oxidation increased with catalyst load but very high loads were not effective. Low pH favored the oxidation, but the catalysts performed well at the pH of aqueous 4-CP solution. A mechanism for the reactions is suggested based on the analysis of the products of oxidation.

Selective oxidative cleavage of terminal olefins into aldehydes catalyzed by copper(ii) complex

A method for oxidative CC bond cleavage of terminal olefins to aldehydes with H₂O₂ catalyzed by copper complex LCu consisted of copper(ii) and ligand 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,7,11,14-tetraene (L) was described.

Photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol by UV/H2O2/NiO process in aqueous solution

The removal of 4-chlorophenol from aqueous phase continues to be an important environmental issue. In this work, the photochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solutions in a batch reactor using ultraviolet irradiation, hydrogen peroxide and nickel oxide was studied. The efficiency of the system was evaluated with respect to reaction time, pH, feed concentration of reactants, catalyst load, light intensity, and the reaction rate constant. The concentrations of 4-chlorophenol and chloride ions were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography, respectively. Pure nanosized nickel oxide was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the optimum conditions (the complete 4-chlorophenol removal (100%) at 60 min) were obtained at a neutral pH, with 0.2 mol/L H₂O₂, and 0.05 g/L of nickel oxide. However, no pH effects were observed in the range of 4–10. Analytical profiles on 4-chlorophenol transformation were consistent with the best line fit of the first-order kinetics. Moreover, the degradation rate constant increased with both UV light intensity and decreasing initial concentration of 4-chlorophenol. Finally, the results of mineralization and chloride ions studies indicated that dechlorination was better accomplished but more time was required to completely mineralize 4-chlorophenol into water and carbon dioxide.