Synthesis of copper (I, II) oxides/hydrochar nanocomposites for the efficient sonocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants

Herein, novel Cu2O–CuO/HTC composites were prepared by hydrothermal precipitation employing as carrier sawdust hydrochar carbonized at 200 °C for 2, 6, and 12 h. The composites were used for the effective sonocatalytic degradation of three dyes (Acid Blue 92 (AB 92), Acid Red 14 (AR 14) and Acid Orange 7 (AO 7)) with different molecular structure. To gain insight into the functional groups, crystalline structure, elemental composition and optical characteristics of the Cu2O–CuO/HTC composites, FT-IR, XRD, EDX and UV–vis analyses were carried out. Also, the surface morphology and area of the Cu2O–CuO/HTC composites were investigated by SEM and BET analysis. The effect of different parameters, such as dye concentration, solution pH, and catalyst dosage on the sonodegradation process was examined. Among the as-prepared composites, the Cu2O–CuO/HTC-2 h sample exhibited the best performance, offering a degradation efficiency of 85.43% after 90 min. GC-MS analysis was in addition employed to determine potential intermediates. To assess the mineralization of dye solution under optimum conditions, COD analysis was performed implying 77.77% removal efficiency. Additionally, the reusability and stability of the as-prepared composites were verified. The leaching copper concentration in the aqueous phase was measured within four consecutive runs. © 2020 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry