Cu‐Doped V‐Based MOF Derivative VO 2 @Cu‐VMOF as a Cathodic Catalyst for Electro‐Fenton Degradation of Antibiotics

In this study, the VO₂@5%Cu-VMOF/graphite felt (GF) is prepared as an electro-Fenton cathode via hydrothermal process and low-temperature carbonization for efficient antibiotics degradation. The VO₂@5%Cu-VMOF/GF cathode exhibit great ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation performance over the pH range of 2.1-7.2, and CIP removal reached 98.1% within 60 min at a pH of 3.4, with corresponding total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 68.7%. The cathode also showed desired catalytic performance toward various antibiotics decomposition. The great catalytic activity of the VO₂@5%Cu-VMOF/GF cathode is attributed to lattice strain induced by Cu doping, and the elimination of the overpotential difference between the optimal oxygen reduction potential (OP ORR) and optimal metal reduction potential (OP MRR). Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations showed that Cu doping facilitated electrons accumulation around V atoms, and thus increased the content of low-valence metals in the cathode material. Four possible degradation pathways for CIP are proposed and intermediate toxicity is evaluated. This work advances the design and application of MOF derivatives as electro-Fenton cathodic materials for emerging contaminants degradation.