Synthesis and structure of iron–copper/hollow magnetic/metal–organic framework/coordination sites in a heterogeneous catalyst for a Fenton-based reaction

Abstract

Preparation of novel hybrid catalysts with highly stable properties was conducted for wastewater remediation. A facile method was employed to prepare a Fe, Cu bimetallic/Fe₃O₄/metal–organic framework with coordination sites (Fe₃O₄@MOF/Fe–Cu/CUM) as a catalyst. The structure and composition of the prepared catalysts were studied using various methods (X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy). A Fenton-based method was applied upon cephalexin to study the catalytic progress of the synthesized Fe₃O₄@MOF/Fe–Cu/CUM catalysts. Fe₃O₄@MOF/Fe–Cu/CUM had the best catalytic performance compared with that of the other catalysts. Fe₃O₄@MOF/Fe–Cu/CUM could accelerate the decomposition of H₂O₂ into ˙OH and ˙O₂⁻ as important scavenger species in the removal of cephalexin. Fe₃O₄@MOF/Fe–Cu/CUM had neutral pH, and their acutely stable performance could be preserved in five cycles with a low rate of ion leaching.