Exploration of copper-cysteamine nanoparticles as an efficient heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for wastewater treatment

Copper-cysteamine (Cu-Cy) is a new nanoparticle that can be stimulated by UV light, microwaves, X-rays, and ultrasound to produce various types of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for cancer and infectious disease treatments. Most importantly, our recent studies revealed that Cu-Cy nanoparticles (NPs) can be used for wastewater treatment as an effective heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst, thereby adding one more important practical application of this interesting material. Herein, for the first time, we describe the use of Cu-Cy NPs with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as an oxidizing agent for the oxidative degradation of organic contaminants, particularly rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), for wastewater treatment. Additionally, we compared two H₂O₂ oxidation methods for the treatment of RhB and 4-NP: oxidation using H₂O₂/Cu-Cy with or without microwave (MW) irradiation. Our findings show that the degradation rate enhanced when activated by MW irradiation. Furthermore, recycling experiments revealed that Cu-Cy has good stability and recyclability. Overall, it is believed that the Cu-Cy/H₂O₂ system studied in this work could be used in advanced oxidation processes toward the degradation of organic pollutants.