Activation of peroxymonosulfate by biochar and biochar-based materials for degrading refractory organics in water: A review

The water pollution caused by the refractory organics has attracted widespread concern in recent years. Nowadays, peroxymonofulfate (PMS) has been widely used to generate sulfate radicals with high reactivity and potential. The direct reaction rate between PMS and organics is very low. However, the activated PMS has a strong oxidizing ability on organics due to its conversion into sulfate radicals. Recently, the free radicals generated by oxidant PMS and catalyst biochar, have proven to be an effective species in dealing with refractory organics. In order to enable researchers to better understand the current research status of PMS/ biochar, and to promote the development and application of PMS/ biochar system, we have written this review. This review in detail describes the mechanism of PMS activated by biochar materials, and summarizes the influencing factors of refractory organics degradation in PMS/ biochar system. In addition, the active sites of PMS/ biochar, the degradation mechanism of refractory organics, and the reusability of biochar catalysts were also discussed. Finally, the concluding remarks and perspectives were made for future research on PMS/ biochar system in the degradation of refractory organics.

Automated summary

The combination of PMS and biochar to produce free radicals has shown great potential in treating refractory organics, and there is still room for further development in the research of the PMS/biochar system.