CuS@Cu-CD composites as efficient heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts for the photodegradation of tetracycline

Abstract

In this work, CuS@Cu-CD composites were synthesized and employed as Fenton-like catalysts. CuS significantly enhanced the photodegradation activity of tetracycline (TC) when decorated with Cu-doped-carbon dots (Cu-CDs). The influence of initial pH, dosage of catalyst, and H₂O₂ concentration on the catalyst performance was investigated. Radical trapping experiments proved that ·O₂⁻ and h⁺ played critical roles and ·OH played a moderate role in the degradation of TC. Mechanism analyses demonstrated that Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox circulation could be accelerated by the introduction of Cu into carbon dots, which further facilitated H₂O₂ consumption and resulted in higher TC degradation efficiency.