In situ etched graphite felt modified with CuFe2O4/Cu2O/Cu catalyst derived from CuFe PBA for the efficient removal of sulfamethoxazole through a heterogeneous electro-Fenton process

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton (hetero-EF) catalysts exhibit low electrocatalytic performance and poor stability. To improve the performance of a hetero-EF process for pollutant degradation, an efficient and stable electrode consisting of a CuFe2O4/Cu2O/Cu catalyst on etched graphite felt (EGF) was synthesized in this study. The CuFe2O4/Cu2O/Cu@EGF electrode demonstrated good performance under the applied pH range, high stability, good resistance to the effects of other substances in the water environment, and high efficiency toward the degradation of other pollutants. The degradation mechanism was proposed based on experimental results and theoretical calculation. Mass spectrum analysis and theoretical calculations were employed to identify the intermediate products produced during sulfamethoxazole degradation, and the probable degradation pathways were proposed. Finally, the toxicity of intermediates produced during the degradation process was evaluated by toxicological simulation and experiments performed using Escherichia coli and Chlorella. These results provide a theoretical basis for the efficient removal of antibiotics present in wastewater.