Diclofenac degradation based on shape-controlled cuprous oxide nanoparticles prepared by using ionic liquid

Persulfate oxidation technology is widely used in wastewater treatment, but there are still many disadvantages, such as high energy consumption, side reaction and narrow pH applicability. Copper oxides can activate persulfate steadily with higher efficiency. In this paper, a novel preparation method of shape-controlled cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) nanoparticles featured with high catalytic performance was explored. It was found that adding ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([BMIM]Br) during preparation of Cu 2 O can improve the degradation rate of diclofenac (DCF). Cu 2 O nanoparticles possess good stability in consecutive cycling tests, which was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The possible mechanism of Cu 2 O activating persulfate at different initial pH conditions was discussed based on electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping experiment. It was found that DCF was efficiently degraded in the Cu 2 O/peroxydisulfate (PDS) system within a broad pH range from 5 to 11. It proved via a quenching experiment that the activation process of PDS mainly occurs on the surface layer of Cu 2 O nanoparticles. As a result, shape-controlled Cu 2 O nanoparticles prepared by ionic liquid are expected to be used for in situ chemical oxidation, which is an effective oxidation processes to degrade DCF remaining in surface water and ground water. This study provides a novel preparation method of shape-controlled cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) particles featured with high catalytic performance to degrade diclofenac (DCF). It overcomes the disadvantages of degradation of organic pollutants by the traditional Fe in situ chemical oxidation system to some extent, such as being unrecyclable and having a narrow application range of pH value.