Heterogeneous activation of persulfate by Co₃O₄-CeO₂ catalyst for diclofenac removal

A series of Co₃O₄-CeO₂ mixed metal oxides were synthesized by co-precipitation method and successfully used to activate persulfate for diclofenac removal. The effects of Co:Ce mole ratio, calcination temperature and calcination time on the catalytic activities were investigated. Results showed that the activity of Co₃O₄-CeO₂ catalysts increased with Co:Ce mole ratio from 1:9 to 7:3, and decreased with the calcination temperature from 300 to 800 °C. 90% diclofenac was removed with Co₇Ce₃-300-1 catalyst (Co:Ce = 7:3, calcinated at 300 °C for 1 h) after 15 min. Moreover, short calcination time and low temperature resulted in smaller crystallite size, more structural defects, more active crystal surfaces and larger surface area of the catalyst, which led to higher removal efficiency of diclofenac. The high ratios of Co²⁺/Co³⁺, Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ and O_ads/O_latt were very important to enhance the catalytic activity. Finally, a potential reaction mechanism was proposed based on characterization of the fresh and spent catalysts.