Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • FeCo-O/O3 system achieved 2–3 times higher degradation efficiency of organic pollutants compared to conventional O3 oxidation, demonstrating significant performance enhancement for industrial wastewater treatment. • • FeCo-O catalyst possesses a single spinel structure with abundant metal valence states and synergistic Fe-Co interactions, which are critical for promoting electron transfer and O3 activation. • • The FeCo-O/O3 system operates effectively under neutral or weakly acidic/alkaline conditions, offering broad pH applicability for real-world wastewater matrices. • • In real industrial wastewater, the FeCo-O/O3 system exhibited excellent COD removal performance, validating its practical utility in both pre-treatment and advanced treatment stages.
Abstract
The design of stable and efficient O3 catalysts is critical for advancing heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) in industrial wastewater treatment. In this study, various iron-based bimetallic oxides were synthesized, and Fe-Co bimetallic oxide (FeCo-O) was identified as the optimal catalyst through degradation experiments and structural characterization. FeCo-O exhibits a single spinel structure with abundant metal valence states and synergistic effects between Fe and Co. Compared to conventional O3 oxidation, the FeCo-O/O3 system enhanced organic pollutant degradation by 2–3 times, demonstrating broad applicability under neutral or weakly acidic/alkaline conditions. Characterization revealed that FeCo-O promotes O3 activation via enhanced inter-metal electron transfer on the catalyst surface, increasing the generation of highly oxidative free radicals (·OH, ·O2−) and thereby improving pollutant degradation efficiency. In treating real industrial wastewater, the FeCo-O/O3 system achieved excellent COD removal, indicating its potential for both pre-treatment and advanced treatment applications. This study provides theoretical and practical guidance for designing efficient catalytic ozonation catalysts.
1. Introduction
Industrial wastewater containing high concentrations of toxic and refractory organic pollutants poses severe risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Conventional physicochemical and biological treatments often fail to achieve adequate removal efficiencies for complex molecular structures, leading to secondary pollution and operational bottlenecks. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), particularly ozone-based technologies, have emerged as promising solutions due to their strong oxidative potential and minimal secondary waste. However, heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) faces critical challenges, including catalyst deactivation, low electron transfer efficiency, and poor resistance to complex water matrices, which limit its practical deployment.
This study addresses these bottlenecks by engineering Fe-based bimetallic oxides with tailored electronic synergy. The FeCo-O catalyst, featuring a single spinel phase, enhances interfacial electron transfer and O3 activation, thereby increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species. This approach not only improves degradation kinetics but also demonstrates robustness under varying pH conditions and real wastewater matrices, offering a viable pathway for industrial-scale implementation.
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CAO Xu, MEI Hong, WANG Yan, LI Wenwei, LIU Xianwei (2026). Electronic Synergy Modulation of Fe-Based Bimetallic Oxides Catalysts for Enhanced Ozonation in Industrial Wastewater Treatment. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025022502
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the specific degradation enhancement factor of FeCo-O/O3 compared to O3 alone, and under what pH conditions is it effective?
The FeCo-O/O3 system achieved 2–3 times higher degradation efficiency of organic pollutants compared to conventional O3 oxidation. It is effective under neutral or weakly acidic/alkaline conditions, indicating broad pH applicability.
What structural and compositional features of FeCo-O contribute to its superior catalytic performance?
FeCo-O possesses a single spinel structure with abundant metal valence states and synergistic effects between Fe and Co. These features facilitate enhanced inter-metal electron transfer and O3 activation, leading to increased generation of ·OH and ·O2− radicals.
How does FeCo-O/O3 perform in treating real industrial wastewater in terms of COD removal?
The FeCo-O/O3 system exhibited excellent COD removal performance in real industrial wastewater, demonstrating its practical utility for both pre-treatment and advanced treatment applications.
What are the main limitations of existing ozone catalysts that this study aims to overcome?
Existing ozone catalysts often suffer from active site deactivation, low electron transfer efficiency, and weak resistance to complex water matrices. FeCo-O addresses these issues through its stable spinel structure and synergistic metal interactions, enhancing catalytic stability and efficiency.
What is the significance of the single spinel structure in FeCo-O for catalytic ozonation?
The single spinel structure ensures uniform distribution of Fe and Co ions, promoting efficient electron transfer between metal sites. This structural feature is critical for enhancing O3 activation and radical generation, leading to improved pollutant degradation.
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