CoFe2O4/WS2 as a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient degradation of sulfathiazole by activation of peroxymonosulfate

In this study, MFe 2 O 4 /WS 2 (M = Co, Cu, Mn, Ni) catalysts were synthesized to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for sulfathiazole (STZ) degradation by decorating with WS 2 on the surface of a series of spinel-type transition metal oxides . It was found that the CoFe 2 O 4 /WS 2 /PMS exhibited a greater ability to degrade sulfathiazole (STZ) than other systems. More specifically, the catalyst facilitated Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ recycling to activate PMS efficiently and maintained synergies between CoFe 2 O 4 and WS 2 to degrade pollutants. The CoFe 2 O 4 /WS 2 dosage, PMS concentration, solution pH, inorganic anions , and natural organic matter , which could affect the catalytic efficiency, were inspected. The experimental results manifested that the catalyst displayed outstanding performance in the pH range from 5 to 9. Besides, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and radical quenching experiments confirmed the presence of HO•, SO 4 •− , O 2 •− , and 1 O 2 . Based on detected intermediates, the plausible degradation pathway of STZ was proposed.