Enhanced non-radical activation of peroxymonosulfate by the P-doped Co₃O₄ nanoparticles confined in SiO₂ aerogel

P-doped strategy exhibits remarkable advantages in the field of environmental catalytic materials due to its excellent charge modulation ability and enhanced chemical stability. Although the current SiO₂-based aerogel materials have outstanding high specific surface area properties, their lack of stability and poor electrical conductivity limit their application potential. Herein, the SiO₂ aerogel confined material with P-doped Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (P-Co@SiO2 aerogel) was constructed for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from water by the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). P doping induced charge redistribution and enhanced redox cycling between Co(III) and Co(II), resulting in the complete degradation of TC within 30 min with higher apparent rate constant (0.434 min^-1), and non-radical species were dominant in the system. Notably, the P-Co@SiO₂/PMS system also exhibited wide pH adaptability (3-11) and excellent stability. The improved reaction kinetics and stability result from the formation of PCo bonds, which optimize charge distribution and accelerate the transfer of interfacial electrons within the system. Meanwhile, electrochemical analysis and density-functional theory further confirmed that P doping effectively strengthens the interfacial interaction and charge transfer efficiency between PMS and P-Co@SiO₂. The present work reveals the advantages of electronic reconfiguration at the P-doped confined interface, which provides design ideas for the development of PMS activation systems and the mineralization of antibiotic contaminants.