Research on Fenton-like process for removing pollutants from wastewater based on simple modified natural wolframite: Efficiency and mechanism

Simple and efficient catalyst preparation processes are crucial for Fenton-like treatment of organic wastewater. However, most Fenton-like catalysts require complex and costly preparation. This is the first study that uses natural wolframite modified via simple mechanical methods as a Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. We investigated the physicochemical properties of the catalyst, including its composition and microstructure, analyzing the degradation effects of different parameters on the characteristic methylene blue (MB) organic compound. Under optimal conditions, the MB removal efficiency was 77.39 %. The kinetic analysis results indicated that the degradation of MB followed two-stage pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics. A stability experiment showed that the catalyst exhibited good reusability. Mechanism analysis indicates that electron transfer processes and reactive oxygen species mineralization may play a major role in the removal of organic pollutants. The by-products of the catalytic degradation of MB were examined using liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LCMS), followed by the proposal of a degradation pathway for MB. The performance of the Fenton-like process based on this catalyst for treating actual industrial wastewater was investigated. The concentration of organic pollutants in the treated industrial wastewater met the requirements for wastewater discharge. Changes in organic pollutants before and after wastewater treatment were systematically examined using analytical methods such as UV–visible light, fluorescence, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). This study provides theoretical support and a technical reference for the preparation of Fenton-like catalysts and the efficient degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. • A simple method modified wolframite for use as a Fenton-like catalyst. • The catalyst removed 77.39 % of methylene blue under optimal reaction conditions. • Reactive oxygen species like OH·, O₂⁻·, and 1 O₂ were key to pollutant degradation. • Systematically investigated the changes in organic pollutants in wastewater.