Stable Cu-Co/C carbon-based composites for efficiency catalytic degradation of Orange II by PMS: Effect factors, application potential analysis, and mechanism

Carbon-based metallic catalysts (CMCs) have emerged as efficient materials for removing water contaminants, but preparing CMCs with high efficiency and stability remains a great challenge. In this study, we prepared a bimetallic composite of Cu-Co/C catalyst via a gelation and calcination method to degrade Orange II by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The characterization results demonstrated that the specific surface area and pore size of Cu-Co/C catalysts were 1.675 m2/g and 6.313 nm, respectively, which can provide larger catalytic active sites for boosting PMS activation. Moreover, the effects of different factors on Orange II degradation efficiency, cyclic experiments, and possible application in real water bodies were investigated. The Cu-Co/C catalyst can effectively activate PMS, and 50 mg/L of Orange II was almost completely removed within 15 min. Additionally, the Cu-Co/C catalyst exhibited high degradation efficiency for other organic dye pollutants. The radical quenching experiments indicated that the main active species for Cu-Co/C catalyzed degradation of Orange II were SO4- and singlet oxygen (1O2). The catalyst demonstrated good stability and performance in real water bodies. We believe that this study will promote the application of carbon-based bimetallic catalysts in the environmental remediation process that utilize SO4- based advanced oxidation.