Efficient degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons over OMS-2 nanorods via PMS activation

This study developed an efficient oxidative degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using OMS-2 catalyst via PMS activation in aqueous solution. The effects of PMS concentration, OMS-2 dosage, pH and solution anions (CO32–, HCO3–, Cl-, NO3–, NO2–, and PO43-) on phenanthrene (PHE) removal have been investigated in the OMS-2/PMS system. The high PAHs removal efficiency (>99 %) could be maintained under optimal conditions. The inhibition effect of anions on PHE removal was highest in NO2– and PO43-, followed by Cl-, NO3– and CO32–, and lowest in HCO3–. The catalytic activity of OMS-2 for oxidative degradation did not decrease significantly after at least three cycles. Moreover, the performance of OMS-2/PMS system was investigated in real samples of tap water, Yellow river and Qinghai lake, and 68 %, 82 %, and 79 % PHE removal efficiency were obtained, respectively. Finally, the possible pathway of oxidation degradation of PHE was proposed. In conclusion, OMS-2/PMS system is a promising and cost-efficient method for treatment of PAHs in water and sewage.