Efficient elimination of trace iodide ions from medical wastewater by Cu/Cu2O@AC composites

Cu/Cu 2 O-modified activated carbon composites (Cu/Cu 2 O@AC) were synthesized via an one-step solvothermal method. The characterization results indicated that copper was uniformly dispersed on the surface of AC as nano-sized Cu 0 and Cu(I), which allowed Cu/Cu 2 O to make full contact with I − . The high specific surface area of Cu/Cu 2 O@AC and the affinity of Cu + for I − led to the equilibrium adsorption capacity within forty minutes. Additionally, the removal of trace I − (300 μg L −1 ) at pH = 3 by Cu/Cu 2 O@AC reached 96.4%. This work provides a promising application for the inexpensive and efficient capture of trace iodine from medical wastewater. Graphical abstract We synthesized Cu/Cu 2 O@AC composites for adsorption of iodide ions in solution.