3D-Printed Fe-Ni Porous Framework Structures for Efficient and Recyclable Degradation of Azo Dyes in Wastewater

Advanced oxidation processes offer a potent, eco-friendly solution for degrading organic wastewater. Creating high-activity and stability catalysts is crucial to addressing water pollution concerns. Nevertheless, due to constraints in their preparation, prevalent catalysts often lack satisfactory cyclic stability and pose challenges in recovery. This research introduces an innovative catalyst, the 3D printed Fe-Ni porous framework (3D Fe₅₀Ni₅₀), characterized by its high activity, robust stability, and straightforward recovery process. The catalytic performance of 3D Fe₅₀Ni₅₀ is attributed to the synergistic effects of its bimetallic constituents and its distinct porous architecture. Under optimal conditions, the kinetic reaction constant reaches 1.56 min^-1. It represents a 26-fold increase over commercially available Fenton's reagent ZVI powder. And the Fe₅₀Ni₅₀ catalyst can be employed cyclically up to 132 times, maintaining a degradation efficiency of over 90% relative to its initial performance. The findings of this article suggest that incorporating Ni augments the catalyst surface's reducibility, facilitating electron transfer. This bestows the catalyst with a nice self-healing ability, ensuring sustained degradation. This investigation paves the way for the design of catalysts with heightened activity and stability and presents promising applications in wastewater treatment.