Advances in Heterogeneous Iron nanocatalysts for enhanced Fenton-based processes in wastewater treatment

Abstract

Heterogeneous nanostructured catalysts with unique structural and surface properties is indispensable in affording optimal and efficient degradation of pollutants for wastewater remediation. In the present decade, Iron nanocatalysts are primarily employed as adsorbents for the selective adsorption of pollutants such as organic dyes, pharmaceutical effluents and other emerging contaminants. Besides, they are found to possess surface, structural and functional elements at nanoscale as well as remain intact and stable with effective supports thereby operate the degradation conditions involved in Fenton, Fenton-like, photoFenton and electroFenton processes. The stability, structural entities, and distinct active sites makes them suitable for such reactions in environmental remediation process favouring the sustainability. This review systematically inspects recent advances of Fe-based nanocatalysts that enhance Fenton reactions in wastewater treatment. Methodology, types of catalytic system and mechanistic approaches are demonstrated to understand the efficacy and versatility of the nanocatalysts. Furthermore, the effect of structure and morphology of metal nanostructures, and nature of support functionalities that controls the coordination within the hybrid composites, leading to construct heterogeneous interfaces are deliberated.