Sulfate saturated biosorbent-derived Co-S@NC nanoarchitecture as an efficient catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation

Using sulfate saturated bio-sorbent and cobalt(II) acetate as precursors, the homogeneous assembly of S-Co3O4 in nitrogen doped carbon martix ([email protected]) was obtained for the first time in an one-step pyrolysis. The reactions between peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and [email protected] for dinotefuran (DIN) decomposition were investigated. Co3O4 in [email protected] were primarily coordinated with the pyridinic N as catalytic sites. The adsorbed sulfate as S dopant was incorporated into the Co3O4 in carbon matrix due to the role of N as anchors, and the DIN decomposition of S-doped samples increased by 1.71 times as compared to the S-free sample ([email protected]). S incorporation can promote the formation of non-radical 1O2 and various radicals. In addition, DFT calculations indicated the enhanced electronic conductivity after S incorporation, which would facilitate the DIN decomposition in [email protected]/PMS system. This work enables the first insight into the role of adsorbed sulfate as effective S dopant for PMS activation.