Cobalt bismuth oxide with cobalt(II/III) as a new stable peroxymonosulfate activator for effective degradation, mineralization, and detoxification of diclofenac in water

Peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation process (PMS-AOPs) is one of most effective approaches for eliminating emerging organic pollutants (EOPs). To develop high-performance and stable PMS activators is the key to the further development of PMS-AOPs. Cobalt-based catalysts have been proved to be the excellent PMS activators. Here, cobalt bismuth oxide (Bi7.53Co0.47O11.92) prepared by facile one-step calcination method was employed as the new PMS activator. As expected, diclofenac (DCF), one kind of EOPs, were quickly decomposed and even mineralization by the Bi7.53Co0.47O11.92 activated PMS system. Within 10 min of reaction, 100% degradation efficiency and 82.1% mineralization rate were achieved. The toxicity of degraded products was assessed to be much lower than pristine DCF. Moreover, six-cycle experiments verified the good reusability of Bi7.53Co0.47O11.92. This work contributes to develop new stable and high-efficiency PMS heterogeneous activators, being beneficial to build high-performance PMS-AOPs for EOPs treatment.

Automated summary

Peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation process (PMS-AOPs) is an effective approach for eliminating emerging organic pollutants (EOPs). This study developed a new PMS activator, cobalt bismuth oxide (Bi7.53Co0.47O11.92), which achieved 100% degradation efficiency and 82.1% mineralization rate of diclofenac (DCF) within 10 minutes. The degraded products showed lower toxicity than pristine DCF, and the activator exhibited good reusability. This work contributes to the development of stable and high-efficiency PMS-AOPs for EOPs treatment.