Efficient elimination of trace iodide ions from medical wastewater by Cu/Cu2O@AC composites.

Cu/Cu₂O-modified activated carbon composites (Cu/Cu₂O@AC) were synthesized via an one-step solvothermal method. The characterization results indicated that copper was uniformly dispersed on the surface of AC as nano-sized Cu⁰ and Cu(I), which allowed Cu/Cu₂O to make full contact with I⁻. The high specific surface area of Cu/Cu₂O@AC and the affinity of Cu⁺ for I⁻ led to the equilibrium adsorption capacity within forty minutes. Additionally, the removal of trace I⁻ (300 μg L⁻¹) at pH = 3 by Cu/Cu₂O@AC reached 96.4%. This work provides a promising application for the inexpensive and efficient capture of trace iodine from medical wastewater. We synthesized Cu/Cu₂O@AC composites for adsorption of iodide ions in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]