Enhanced peroxymonosulfate activation over heterogeneous catalyst Cu_0.76Co_2.24O₄/SBA-15 for efficient degradation of...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat driven by overuse and misuse, leading to the evolution of superbacteria and superviruses.
• Inappropriate discharge of antibiotics into water bodies necessitates efficient and low-cost remediation methods.
• Persistent organic pollutants, such as sulfapyridine (SPD), pose significant environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly active and stable heterogeneous catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation.
• To investigate the catalytic mechanism for the decomposition of persistent sulfapyridine (SPD).
• To assess the catalyst's performance and stability in the presence of common water anions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Cu0.76Co2.24O4/SBA-15 (CCS) heterogeneous catalyst.
• Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for sulfapyridine (SPD) degradation.
• In situ quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) for reaction mechanism investigation.
• Anion interference tests to evaluate catalyst stability and efficacy.

Main Results:

• The Cu0.76Co2.24O4/SBA-15/PMS (CCSP) system efficiently decomposed SPD.
• Four reactive species (SO4·−, O2·−, 1O2, ·OH) were identified, with SO4·− and O2·− being dominant.
• A Co(II)↔Co(III) redox cycle, enhanced by Cu(I), was crucial for PMS activation and SPD degradation.
• The catalyst exhibited excellent stability, with minimal inhibition from common anions (Cl−, NO3−, HCO3−, H2PO4−).

Conclusions:

• The developed CCS catalyst demonstrates high activity and stability for antibiotic degradation via PMS activation.
• The synergistic effect of copper and cobalt oxides on SBA-15 facilitates efficient generation of reactive oxygen species.
• This catalytic system shows significant potential for practical application in removing antibiotics from real water bodies.