Low-coordinated Co-N3 sites induce peroxymonosulfate activation for norfloxacin degradation via high-valent cobalt-oxo species and electron transfer

The identification of reactive species in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation triggered by carbon-based single atom catalysts is the key to reveal the pollutant degradation mechanism. Herein, carbon-based single atom catalyst with low-coordinated Co-N3 sites (CoSA-N3-C) was synthesized to active PMS for norfloxacin (NOR) degradation. The CoSA-N3-C/PMS system exhibited consistent high performance for oxidizing NOR over a wide pH range (3.0-11.0). The system also achieved complete NOR degradation in different water matrixes, high cycle stability and excellent degradation performance for other pollutants. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the catalytic activity was derived from the favorable electron density of low-coordinated Co-N3 configuration, which was more conductive to PMS activation than other configurations. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, in -situ Raman analysis, solvent exchange (H2O to D2O), salt bridge and quenching experiments concluded that high-valent cobalt(IV)-oxo species (56.75%) and electron transfer (41.22%) contributed dominantly to NOR degra-dation. Moreover, 1O2 was generated in the activation process while not involved in pollutant degradation. This research demonstrates the specific contributions of nonradicals in PMS activation over Co-N3 sites for pollutant degradation. It also offers updated perceptions for rational design of carbon-based single atom catalysts with appropriate coordination structure.

Automated summary

In this study, carbon-based single atom catalyst with low-coordinated Co-N3 sites was synthesized to activate PMS for NOR degradation. The catalyst showed consistent high performance over a wide pH range and achieved complete degradation of NOR in different water matrixes. The contributions of high-valent cobalt(IV)-oxo species and electron transfer to NOR degradation were confirmed, and the involvement of 1O2 in the activation process was also observed. This research provides insights for the rational design of carbon-based single atom catalysts.