Transition-metal phosphides (TMPs) have been studied for electrocatalytic water reduction and co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Herein, we investigated advanced wastewater treatment utilizing copper phosphide which consists of Cu3P and CuP2. This copper phosphide can generate H2O2 in situ by reducing dioxygen that is coupled with the concurrent oxidation of phosphide to phosphate. This phenomena was also confirmed with cobalt phosphide (CoP). The copper ion leached from copper phosphide can participate in Fenton-like reaction with in-situ generated H2O2 with producing hydroxyl radical, which initiates the oxidation of organic compounds. Unlike copper phosphide, cobalt phosphide cannot generate hydroxyl radical because Fenton-like reaction cannot be mediated by cobalt ion. After the reaction, environmentally harmful phosphates and copper ions can be recovered by pH control with precipitating copper phosphate complex.

Hydroxyl radical production from copper phosphide and water only for advanced oxidation process

256th National Meeting (2018)

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