Catalytic degradation of P-chlorophenol by muscovite-supported nano zero valent iron composite: Synthesis, characterization, and mechanism studies

P-chlorophenol (P–CP) is a recalcitrant toxicant in wastewater. Recently, the use of composite materials and environmentally friendly technology in the degradation of pollutants in wastewater has attracted widespread attention. For the first time, the nano zerovalent iron nano zerovalent iron (NZVI)-loaded muscovite (NZVI@muscovite), a novel composite material, was synthesized by liquid-phase reduction. The different physicochemical properties of NZVI@muscovite indicated that the muscovite could support NZVI of 40–50 nm sizes. The NZVI@muscovite had a low agglomeration degree, good dispersibility, and improved catalytic activity. In addition, the optimization experiments of P–CP degradation demonstrated that NZVI@muscovite actively degraded P–CP at a pollutant:catalyst ratio of 714 mg:1 g. This ratio was higher than that of the other composite materials under optimal operating conditions. Adsorption and degradation by Fenton-like reaction were the main mechanisms underlying P–CP degradation. This study extended the use of NZVI@muscovite as an efficient composite material for the degradation of P–CP in an aqueous environment.