Cu₂S/Ni₃S₂ nanosheets combined with nickel foam substrate for efficient catalytic ozonation of p-nitrophenol in wastewater

Cu₂S/Ni₃S₂@NF catalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method, and the catalytic ozonation of PNP solution (100 mg/L) was carried out. The removal rate of PNP under optimal experimental conditions was 99.9 % in 40 minutes, which was a significant increase over other systems. ESR revealed that singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals were the primary active ingredients. After the catalyst was used for five times, the catalytic activity remained basically unchanged. The possible degradation pathway and mechanism of Cu₂S/Ni₃S₂@NF catalytic ozonation of PNP were proposed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In real wastewater samples with complex compositions, the Cu₂S/Ni₃S₂@NF/O₃ system also achieved efficient degradation. The mechanism and possible pathway of Cu₂S/Ni₃S₂@NF catalytic ozonation of PNP were proposed. This study provides an efficient, durable, and easy-to-recycle ozone catalyst, which provides a feasible pathway for the treatment of phenolic pollutants.