Cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-rich carbon nanotubes as efficient catalysts for organic pollutants degradation via sulfite activation.

Title Cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-rich carbon nanotubes as efficient catalysts for organic pollutants degradation via sulfite activation.
Authors D. Wu; P. Ye; M. Wang; Y. Wei; X. Li; A. Xu
Journal J Hazard Mater
DOI 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.03.040
Abstract

The activation of sulfite by heterogeneous catalysts displays a great potential in the development of new sulfate radials based technologies for wastewater treatment. Herein, cobalt nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon nanotubes (Co@NC) were prepared by a simple pyrolysis method. Due to the synergistic effects of the cobalt nanoparticles and N-doped carbon nanotubes, the Co@NC catalyst intrinsically shows an outstanding efficiency, excellent reusability and high stability in the catalytic oxidation of methyl orange (MO) in the presence of sulfite and dioxygen. The structure and efficiency of the catalyst was significantly affected by the content of cobalt and pyrolysis temperature. Several quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance were carried out to investigate the catalytic mechanism. It is found that hydroxyl and sulfate radicals worked together to degrade MO in the system. The formation and decomposition of peroxymonosulfate may be an important route of these reactive radicals production. The effect of different anions, bicarbonate concentration, initial solution pH and dye types on the performance of the catalyst was also studied. This study can open a new approach for design and preparation of encapsulated cobalt in carbon materials as effective catalysts for pollutants degradation via sulfite activation.

Citation D. Wu; P. Ye; M. Wang; Y. Wei; X. Li; A. Xu.Cobalt nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-rich carbon nanotubes as efficient catalysts for organic pollutants degradation via sulfite activation.. J Hazard Mater. 2018;352:148156. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.03.040

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Cobalt

See more Cobalt products. Cobalt (atomic symbol: Co, atomic number: 27) is a Block D, Group 9, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 58.933195. Cobalt Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of cobalt's shells is 2, 8, 15, 2 and its electron configuration is [Ar]3d7 4s2. The cobalt atom has a radius of 125 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 192 pm. Cobalt was first discovered by George Brandt in 1732. In its elemental form, cobalt has a lustrous gray appearance. Cobalt is found in cobaltite, erythrite, glaucodot and skutterudite ores. Elemental CobaltCobalt produces brilliant blue pigments which have been used since ancient times to color paint and glass. Cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal and is used primarily in the production of magnetic and high-strength superalloys. Co-60, a commercially important radioisotope, is useful as a radioactive tracer and gamma ray source. The origin of the word Cobalt comes from the German word "Kobalt" or "Kobold," which translates as "goblin," "elf" or "evil spirit.

Carbon

See more Carbon products. Carbon (atomic symbol: C, atomic number: 6) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 2 element. Carbon Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Carbon's shells is 2, 4 and its electron configuration is [He]2s2 2p2. In its elemental form, carbon can take various physical forms (known as allotropes) based on the type of bonds between carbon atoms; the most well known allotropes are diamond, graphite, amorphous carbon, glassy carbon, and nanostructured forms such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and nanofibers . Carbon is at the same time one of the softest (as graphite) and hardest (as diamond) materials found in nature. It is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and the fourth most abundant element (by mass) in the universe after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Carbon was discovered by the Egyptians and Sumerians circa 3750 BC. It was first recognized as an element by Antoine Lavoisier in 1789.

Nitrogen

See more Nitrogen products. Nitrogen is a Block P, Group 15, Period 2 element. Its electron configuration is [He]2s22p3. Nitrogen is an odorless, tasteless, colorless and mostly inert gas. It is the seventh most abundant element in the universe and it constitutes 78.09% (by volume) of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen was discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772.

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