Systematic evaluation of activated carbon-FeO composites for removing and degrading emerging organic pollutants.

In this study, a comparative activity assessment of several activated carbon (AC) and AC-FeO composites was performed to evaluate their efficiency and versatility as Fenton-like catalysts. Although many studies have demonstrated the advantages of AC-based materials as Fenton-like catalysts, most have been developed using only one oxidant and/or one pollutant. Here, untreated (AC) and acid-treated AC (AC) iron-oxide composites were synthesized, characterized, and compared in terms of activity to bare AC using several oxidants and pollutants, the activation efficiency of hydrogen peroxide (HO) and ammonium persulfate ((NH)SO), and the subsequent oxidation extent and kinetics of bisphenol-A, atrazine, and carbamazepine by the AC-based materials were studied in depth.