Natural cellulose supported carbon nanotubes and Fe3O4 NPs as the efficient peroxydisulfate activator for the removal of bisphenol A: An enhanced non-radical oxidation process.

Abstract Currently, many catalysts are inconvenient to separate from water, and the solvents used in the preparation process are not environmentally friendly, resulting in low recovery efficiency and secondary pollution. In this study, the magnetic and porous regenerated cellulose/carbon nanotubes/Fe3O4 nanoparticles (RC/CNTs/Fe3O4 NPs) composites were synthesized for activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) in a green alkaline-urea system. The RC/CNTs/Fe3O4 NPs-PDS system achieved 100% removal of bisphenol A compared with CNTs (~64.6%), RC (~0%) or Fe3O4 NPs (~0%), which was closely related to the introduction of defects and functional groups, nitrogen doping and conductive networks. Interestingly, the strong interaction between CNTs and the sheath-like protective layer formed by urea on the cellulose surface promotes the introduction of nitrogen into the composites at the preparation temperature of 70 °C. Moreover, the mechanism of the system was found to be a typical non-radical pathway. Fortunately, there is no leaching of iron ions in the system, and the effects of the actual waterbody, initial pH, and different anions are negligible. The recycling and separation experiments revealed the practicality and superiority of the composite. This work provides a feasible and sustainable strategy for the application of natural cellulose-supported catalysts.