CuCo2O4/CF cathode with bifunctional and dual reaction centers exhibits high RhB degradation in electro-Fenton systems

Cobalt-based oxide CuCo 2 O 4 -loaded CuCo 2 O 4 /carbon felt (CF) composite cathodes were synthesized by hydrothermal deposition of a precursor of Cu/Fe oxides on CF followed by roasting in air. The material serves both catalytic and cathodic dual functions in the heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) process. Through XRD (X-ray diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscope), and catalytic experiments, it was concluded that CuCo 2 O 4 loading was successful and the highest hydrophilic 180-CuCo 2 O 4 /CF was obtained by varying the hydrothermal temperature without destroying the original structure. 180-CuCo 2 O 4 /CF accomplished 98.03 % degradation in 60 min, and it was found to maintain high degradation capacity in the pH 3 ∼ 9 range in experiments where the experimental parameters were varied. Compared to monometallic oxides, Cu and Co dual active centers are integrated in CuCo 2 O 4 , giving it diverse redox properties and oxidation states. As a result, the CuCo 2 O 4 /CF material can realize the dual function of catalytic and cathodic, which provides a new development direction in practical wastewater treatment.