A High-Efficient Carbon-Coated Iron-Based Fenton-Like Catalyst with Enhanced Cycle Stability and Regenerative Performance

Carbon coated iron-based Fenton-like catalysts are now widely studied in wastewater treatment. However, their poor stability is still a big challenge and the related regenerative performance is seldom investigated. Herein, a carbon-coated Fe3O4 on carbon cloth (cc/Fe3O4@C) was prepared with glucose as carbon source via electrodeposition and ethanol solvothermal methods. An amorphous carbon layer with polar C-groups covers the surface of Fe3O4, which presents a flaky cross-linked network structure on the carbon cloth (cc). The cc/Fe3O4@C exhibits an improved catalytic activity with nearly 84% phenol was removed within 35 min with polar C-groups. What’s more, around 80% phenol can still be degraded in 120 min after 14 degradation cycles. After the regeneration treatment, the degradation performance was restored to the level of the fresh in the first two regenerations. The enhanced cycle stability and regeneration performance of the catalyst are as follows: Firstly, the catalyst’s composition and structure were recovered; Secondly, the reduction effect of the amorphous carbon layer ensuring timely supplement of Fe2+ from Fe3+. Also, the carbon layer reduces Fe leaching during the Fenton-like process.