Catalytic oxidation potential of graphene encapsulated iron-based nanocatalysts synthesized via chemical vapor deposition

In recent years, conventional treatment methods have been reported as insufficient for effectively removing organic substances from water, emphasizing the potential of advanced oxidation processes as a promising solution. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the catalytic oxidation potential of graphene-encapsulated iron-based nanocatalysts synthesized from iron-containing salts using chemical vapor deposition combined with persulfate/UV-C for the degradation of total organic carbon in surface water. The microstructural and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanocatalysts were determined prior to their use as catalysts for advanced oxidation processes. The analysis results showed a significant total organic carbon removal ability, resulting in a reduction of up to 1.76 mg/L from an initial concentration of 4.55 mg/L under the conditions of pH_o = 8.0, T = 25 °C, PS = 0.5 mM, and t = 60 min. Moreover, a decrease in UV₂₅₄ during all experiments indicated that the organic matter present in the raw water, especially those with aromatic structures, underwent significant transformations during the catalytic processes.