Hydrothermal synthesis of Co3O4-graphene for heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate for decomposition of phenol

Yunjin Yao, Zeheng Yang, Hongqi Sun, Shaobin Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

249 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis of Co3O4-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids and the catalytic performance in heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the decomposition of phenol. The surface morphologies and structures of the Co3O4-rGO hybrids were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Through an in situ chemical deposition and reduction, Co3O4-rGO hybrids with Co3O4 nanoparticles at an average size of 33 nm were produced. Catalytic testing showed that 20 mg/L of phenol could be completely oxidized in 20 min at 25 °C on Co3O4-rGO hybrids, which is mostly attributed to the generation of sulfate radicals through Co3O4-mediated activation of PMS. Phenol oxidation was fitted by a pseudo-zero-order kinetic model. The rate constant was found to increase with increasing temperature and PMS dosage, but to decrease with increasing initial phenol concentration. The combination of Co3O 4 nanoparticles with graphene sheets leads to much higher catalytic activity than pure Co3O4. rGO plays an important role in Co3O4 dispersion and decomposition of phenol.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14958-14965
Number of pages8
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume51
Issue number46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2012
Externally publishedYes

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