Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide by three-dimensional Cu2O/graphene@nickel foam composite

The three-dimensional (3D) Cu2O/graphene@nickel foam (Cu2O/GO@NF) photocatalyst was synthesized via a simple immersion-electrodeposition method. The as-prepared photocatalyst assisted by H2O2 exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) in visible light irradiation. The conditions such as electrodeposition time of Cu2O, H2O2 dosage, and HPAM concentration were investigated for the degradation of HPAM. The results also showed that the photocatalytic degradation rate of HPAM in the oilfield wastewater under optimal conditions could be 94% within 2 h. Cu2O/GO@NF can be separated from the system simply and easily, and exhibited significant photocatalytic activity after seven successive recycles, which confirmed that the components and structure were stable during the photocatalytic process.