Facile one-step preparation of Co and Ce doped TiO₂ in visible light PMS activation for PAHs degradation

In this work, Co and Ce doped TiO₂ (CoCeTi) with low content of Co and Ce was successfully prepared by a facile one-step sol-gel solvothermal process for activating Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The phenanthrene degradation rate was 98.2% effectively in 15 min by CoCeTi (50.0 mg/L) activation PMS (0.50 mmol/L) under visible light. SO₄^•-, O₂^•-, h⁺ and ¹O₂ were verified as the dominant reactive species for PAHs degradation. The collective effect of CoCeTi, PMS and visible light irradiation has been discussed. The possible phenanthrene degradation pathway was proposed through intermediates analysis. CoCeTi composed of Co₃O₄, CeO₂ and TiO₂ was confirmed. Outstandingly, CoCeTi/PMS/visible light system has very low cobalt (0.036 mg/L) and cerium (0.27 mg/L) leaching. Due to CoCeTi having good activated PMS properties and other excellent characteristics, it has potential application for PAHs or other organic pollutants degradation.