Highly efficient activation of peroxymonosulfate by biomass juncus derived carbon decorated with cobalt nanoparticles for the degradation of ofloxacin

The cobalt nanoparticles decorated biomass Juncus derived carbon (Co@JDC) was prepared by facile calcination strategy and applied to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for eliminating ofloxacin (OFX) in the water environment. The results of catalytic experiments show that 97% of OFX degradation efficiency and 70.4% of chemical oxygen demand removal rate are obtained within 24 min at 0.1 g L-1 Co@JDC, 0.2 g L-1 PMS, 20 mg L-1 OFX (100 mL), and pH = 7, which indicates that Co@JDC/PMS system exhibits excellent performance. Meanwhile, the experimental results of affect factor show that Co@JDC/PMS system can operate in a wider pH range (3-9) and Cl-1, NO3-1, and SO(4)(2-)have an ignorable effect on OFX degradation. The radical identification experiments confirm that SO4-, center dot OH, O-2(-), and O-1(2) are involved in the process of PMS activation, especially SO4- and O-1(2) are the main contributors. Furthermore, a possible PMS activation mechanism by Co@JDC was proposed and the degradation pathways of OFX were deduced. Finally, the stable catalytic activity, negligible leaching of Co2+, and the outstanding degradation efficiency for other antibiotics prove that Co@JDC possesses good stability and universality.

Automated summary

The cobalt nanoparticles decorated biomass Juncus derived carbon (Co@JDC) was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for efficient removal of ofloxacin (OFX) in water. The Co@JDC/PMS system showed excellent performance with 97% OFX degradation efficiency and 70.4% chemical oxygen demand removal rate achieved within 24 minutes. The system exhibited broad pH tolerance and was unaffected by Cl-, NO3-, and SO(4)2-. SO4-, ·OH, O2-, and O1(2-) were identified as the main active species in the PMS activation process.