Improved catalytic performance of ZnO via coupling with CoFe2O4 and carbon nanotubes: A new, photocatalysis-mediated peroxymonosulfate activation system, applied towards Cefixime degradation

In this study, a ternary [email protected] cobalt [email protected] nanotube magnetic photocatalyst ([email protected]) was successfully synthesized and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for Cefixime (CFX) antibiotic degradation under UVC irradiation. The morphology, optical, structural, and physicochemical properties of [email protected] were characterized and analyzed by XPS, XRD, FESEM-EDX, TEM, BET, VSM, UV–vis DRS and PL analysis. The results indicated that the ternary [email protected] photocatalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity on CFX elimination than that of individual components and binary composite catalysts, in which CFX with was rapidly removed under UVC irradiation and PMS. The effect of operational parameters including initial PMS, catalyst, and CFX concentrations and solution pH on the catalytic activity was investigated in detail; the optimal conditions were: pH: 7.0, catalyst: 0.3 g/L, PMS: 3.0 mM, leading to total CFX (10 mg/L) elimination in ∼20 min. Based on the radical scavenger tests, various radicals and non-radical species including sulfate, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, singlet oxygen and electrons were involved in the [email protected]/PMS/UVC system. The high surface area, reduced agglomeration formation and excellent separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs embodied in [email protected] photocatalyst conferred its superior catalytic activity and stability. The results from the tests in real water matrices revealed that [email protected] could be a promising photocatalyst to activate PMS for actual aqueous matrices’ treatment.