Activation of peroxymonosulfate by FeVO3-x for the degradation of carbamazepine: Vanadium mediated electron shuttle and oxygen vacancy modulated interface chemistry

Fast Fe(III)/Fe(II) circulation in heterogeneous peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation remains as a bottleneck issue that restricts the development of PMS based advanced oxidation processes. Herein, we proposed a facile ammonia reduction strategy and synthesized a novel FeVO3-x catalysts to activate PMS for the degradation of a typical pharmaceutical, carbamazepine (CBZ). Rapid CBZ removal could be achieved within 10 min, which outperforms most of the other iron or vanadium-based catalysts. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and chemical probe experiments revealed SO4•−, •OH, O2•− and high valent iron (Fe(IV)) were all generated in this system, but SO4•− and Fe(IV) primarily contributed to the degradation of CBZ. Besides, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray adsorption spectroscopy indicated that both the generated low-valent V provides and oxygen vacancy acted as superior electron donors and accelerated internal electron transfer via the unsaturated V−O−Fe bond. Finally, the proposed system also exhibited satisfactory performance in practical applications. This work provides a promising platform in heterogeneous PMS activation.