A novel magnetic CuFeAl-LDO catalyst for efficient degradation of tetrabromobisphenol a in water

Layered double hydroxide (LDHs) precursors were successfully prepared by co-precipitation method, and then the magnetic Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO catalyst was constructed and characterized after high-temperature calcination. In the Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO catalyst activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) system, the effects of different reaction parameters, including catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, initial pH, common anion and natural water organic matter on the degradation of TBBPA were investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate of TBBPA (15 mg/L) by 0.1 g/L Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO catalyst and 0.5 mM PMS reached 99.91% within 60 min under the conditions of weak alkaline (pH = 8.5), and the reaction conditions were further optimized by response surface methodology. In addition, the magnetic Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO catalyst showed certain stability and reproducibility after 5 consecutive repeated reactions. The excellent degradation of TBBPA was mainly attributed to the existence of a large amount of SO4•–, •OH and 1O2 active species in the Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO/PMS system. The activation mechanism of PMS and the degradation pathway of TBBPA were proposed. Toxicity Assessment Software Tool (TEST) indicated that the Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO/PMS system can effectively reduce the harm and risk of TBBPA to the overall environment. This work provided a possible novel idea for the application of Cu1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO/PMS system in the degradation of brominated phenolic organic pollutants in actual water.