Facile synthesis of porous CoFe2O4/graphene aerogel for catalyzing efficient removal of organic pollutants

A novel hierarchically porous CoFe 2 O 4 /reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogel (CFGA) was synthesized via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method and assessed in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of organic pollutants. CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed onto the surface of rGO aerogels, with rGO aerogel support maintaining the three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous framework. Efficient activation of PMS and rapid removal of phenol were achieved using CFGA , ascribed to the large surface area and 3D porous framework of rGO aerogel that promoted mass transfer and the dispersion of CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles catalytic sites. The great PMS-activation performance of CFGA was further demonstrated for the rapid removal of phenol under a broad pH range and in the presence of chloride or humic acid . Besides, the rapid removal of multiple organic pollutants was achieved in CFGA/PMS system. Mechanistic investigations suggest that PMS-activation by CFGA mainly follows a radical pathway. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that Co atom was involved in the PMS-activation process. Given the facile synthesis method and promising PMS-activation activity, CFGA represents a critical advance in the development of Fenton-like catalysts for pollutant removal .