Ultrasound-assisted electrodeposition synthesis of nZVI-Pd/AC toward reductive degradation of methylene blue

A novel composite (nZVI/Pd-AC) was prepared by loading nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and Pd on activated carbon (AC) electrode under electrodeposition with ultrasound, which was used to reductive degradation of methylene blue (MB). The loading contents of Fe and Pd in composite materials were 15.84% and 2.06%, respectively. XPS results further confirmed that the as-prepared material contained Fe 0 and Pd 0 . Without external conditions, MB could be degraded in the presence of nZVI/Pd-AC and reached equilibrium within 180 min. To investigate the reusability, the re-electrodeposition strategy was effective to refresh the active sites of nZVI/Pd-AC, and the removal efficiency only reduced by 4.51% in five circles indicating the good reusability of nZVI/Pd-AC composites. GC–MS was used to identify possible degradation pathways of MB; the results showed that the degradation products were mainly N, N-dimethylaniline and 2-amino-5-dimethylamino-benzenesulfonic acid. And the S–C, C–N bonds are the sites easier to be attacked. Graphical abstract