MOF-derived hollow Co@N-doped carbon as an efficient peroxymonosulfate activator for acetaminophen degradation: Dominant sulfate radical-induced degradation pathway

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 354; p. 129381
• Main Authors: Tuan, Duong Dinh, Tsai, Yu-chih, Linh, Ha Xuan, Thanh, Dang Van, Khiem, Ta Cong, Lin, Kun-Yi Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 19-02-2025
• Subjects: Acetaminophen; Carbonaceous materials; Cobalt; Degradation; Hollow; PMS activator; Degradation; PMS activator; Carbonaceous materials; Hollow; Acetaminophen; Cobalt
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.129381

Carbonaceous materials have been proven as promising peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activators to eliminate recalcitrant organic contaminants in wastewater. Herein, in this study, we proposed to fabricate hollow-structured cobalt (Co)-embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (H-Co@SNC) derived from a star-like bimetallic ZnCoMOF (S-ZnCoMOF) through two-step modifications. This as-prepared H-Co@SNC exhibited a hollow configuration with peculiar physicochemical properties verified by different characterizations (XRD, BET, Raman, TGA, XPS, etc) that would be contributed to its excellent catalytic activity in PMS activation to degrade a residual pharmaceutical contaminant, acetaminophen (ACE) in water. Based on the experimental results, H-Co@SNC/PMS system can completely degrade ACE in 10 min with a high total organic carbon (TOC) removal content of 76.5 % compared with other tested systems. On the other hand, quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis were employed to explore the generation of various reactive species, high-valent cobalt-oxo, and electron transfer involved in ACE degradation, in which SO4●− played a pivotal role. The intermediate products and plausible degradation pathways of ACE were proposed whereas the toxicity of the intermediates was also assessed. This work provides an insight into the preparation strategy for synthesizing a hollow-structured metal-doped carbon material that would be a promising PMS activator for eliminating organic pollutants in wastewater.