Property of Cu2O-CuO/ZSM-5 nanocomposite and degradation process of azo dye AO7 without sacrificial agent (H2O2)

In this study, Cu 2 O-CuO/ZSM-5 nanocomposite was synthesized by the impregnation method, and its catalytic performance for the destruction of AO7 in aqueous solutions was investigated. The morphology, structure and surface element valence state of Cu 2 O-CuO/ZSM-5 were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The operating conditions on the degradation of AO7 by Cu 2 O-CuO/ZSM-5, such as initial pH values, concentration of AO7 and catalyst dosage were investigated and optimized. The results showed that the sample had good catalytic activity for destruction of AO7 in the absence of a sacrificial agent (e.g. H 2 O 2 ): it could degrade 91% AO7 in 140 min at 25 °C and was not restricted by the initial pH of the AO7 aqueous solutions. Cu 2 O-CuO/ZSM-5 exhibited stable catalytic activity with little loss after three successive runs. The total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies increased rapidly to 69.36% and 67.3% after 120 min of treatment by Cu 2 O-CuO/ZSM-5, respectively.