Activation of peroxymonosulfate by BiFeO3 microspheres under visible light irradiation for decomposition of organic pollutants

Visible light responsive BiFeO3 microspheres were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method and firstly used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for oxidation and degradation of organic pollutes in water. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as a model of organic pollutants. It was found that BiFeO3 reveals a high ability to activate PMS so that the activated PMS can generate reactive oxidative radicals for further degradation of RhB. In addition, BiFeO3 exhibited high stability and reusability in degrading organic pollutants through activation of PMS. Here, comprehensive studies on the kinetics of the reaction, PMS concentration and reaction temperature have been done and the possible mechanism was then proposed.