Co3O4 anchored on biochar derived from chitosan (Co3O4@BCC) as a catalyst to efficiently activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for degradation of phenacetin.

Chitosan, as a bio-friendly and abundant biochar precursor, was employed to prepare cobalt-based catalyst (Co3O4@BCC) by calcination for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade phenacetin (PNT). Various characterization technologies and experimental designs were performed to investigate the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of Co3O4@BCC. Approximately 99.0% of phenacetin (10 mg/L) was degraded in the system of Co3O4@BCC (0.05 g/L)/PMS (1.0 mM) within 15 min and the rate constant was 6 times higher than that in the system of Co3O4 (0.05 g/L)/PMS (1.0 mM). The results demonstrated that BCC as a carrier not only dispersed Co3O4 nanoparticles and improved the stability of catalyst, but also provided abundant electron-rich groups to facilitate the activation of PMS and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Co3O4@BCC composite also exhibited good universality and reusability. More than 90% of BPA, SIZ and CAP was degraded by Co3O4@BCC activated PMS within 15 min at pH 7. The degradation rate of PNT was recovered from 90% to 98.0% via the regeneration of the used catalyst after the third run (calcination at 400 °C for 5 min). SO4•-, •OH and 1O2 were identified to be responsible for PNT degradation. Furthermore, the activation mechanism of PMS and the possible pathways of PNT degradation were reasonably speculated according to the results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), quenching experiments and HPLC-TOF-MS2. This study explored the application of chitosan as a recycled material and provides a feasible strategy for designing and fabricating environmentally friendly and efficient catalysts for PMS activation to degrade organic pollutants.