Oxygen Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Shifted the Formation Pathway of Hydroxyl Radicals in Catalytic Ozonation: The Overlooked Role of Hydrogen Peroxide

The oxygen functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could enhance their reactivity in catalytic ozonation for hydroxyl radical (•OH) formation. However, the detailed pathway for the transformation of ozone to •OH and the mechanism for the decreased treatment performance at acidic pH values remain unclear. In this study, surface oxygen-functionalized CNTs (O-CNTs) were prepared and used in catalytic ozonation to reveal the pathway for •OH formation. The efficiencies of ozone utilization and its conversion to •OH were increased by 2.7 and 554.8 times, respectively, under the catalysis of the O-CNTs. The great reactivity of the O-CNTs was related to their high surface oxygen contents and increased dispersion. Hydrogen peroxide was generated as a significant intermediate during the catalytic ozonation of the O-CNTs. The exposure of this substance linearly correlated with •OH exposure and pollutant degradation constants, with correlation coefficients of 0.991 and 0.911, respectively. The formation of hydrogen peroxide was relatively slower at acidic pH values, which explains the low performance of catalytic ozonation. A mechanism was proposed that involved the generation of hydrogen peroxide to trigger the peroxone process for free •OH formation. These findings deepen our understanding of oxygen functionalization and offer insights into the catalytic ozonation of surface oxygen-rich carbonaceous materials.