Self-Assembled Hierarchical Cu O@CHO Nanoflakes for Superior Fenton-like Catalysis over a Wide Range of pH.

A novel copper-based catalyst supported by a long-chain hydrocarbon stearic acid (Cu O@CHO) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and double replacement reactions. The as-prepared catalyst is shown as self-assembled hierarchical nanoflakes with an average size of ∼22 nm and a specific surface area of 51.4 m g. The catalyst has a good performance on adsorption as well as Fenton-like catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The catalyst (10 mg/L) showed an excellent adsorption efficiency toward RhB (20 mg/L) for pH ranging from 5 to 13, with the highest adsorption rate (99%) exhibited at pH 13. The Fenton-like catalytic degradation reaction of RhB (20 mg/L) by Cu O@CHO nanoflakes was effective over a wide range of pH of 3-11, and OH radicals were generated via CuO/HO interactions in acidic conditions and CuO/HO reactions in a neutral solution. The highest efficiency catalytic degradation of RhB (20 mg/L) was 99.2% under acidic conditions (pH = 3, HO = 0.05 M), with an excellent reusability of 96% at the 6th cycle. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared Cu O@CHO nanoflakes are an efficient candidate for wastewater treatment, with excellent adsorption capacity and superior Fenton-like catalytic efficiency and stability for RhB.