Constructing electron-deficient Co centers into lattice of oxygen-vancancy-rich CuO for improved PMS activation and contaminant degradation

Electron-deficient Co centers in the lattice of CuO were constructed through an ion-exchange and programmed-heat-treatment strategy. The optimal catalyst affords abundant bimetallic redox pairs to improve the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and rapid degradation of various antibiotic contaminants norfloxacin (NFX), tetracycline (TC), carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxytetracycline (OTC).