Metal-organic framework-derived CuCo/carbon as an efficient magnetic heterogeneous catalyst for persulfate activation and ciprofloxacin degradation

Herein, the authors synthesis an efficient and easily recycled CuCo/C catalyst through one-step carbonization of [email protected] (Abbreviated as [email protected] in this work) precursor. The prepared CuCo/C has a high degradation efficiency of 90% for ciprofloxacin (CIP) by activating PMS in a wide value of pH 3–9 within 30 min. After pyrolysis, the carbon matrix as a dispersant can promote the highly uniform distribution of active metals. Additionally, the CIP removal efficiency was 85% after four cycles and the catalyst was easily separated from the solution by using magnets, showing the good stability and reusability. To further study the superiority of CuCo/C activated PMS in degrading CIP, the factors such as pH, the dosage of PMS and catalyst, temperature, inorganic ions and pollutant (CIP) concentration were investigated. Furthermore, the Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was utilized to analyze the intermediate products and possible degradation pathways of CIP. Typically, the quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technology were investigated to confirm the main reaction species including SO4▪−, OH▪ and O2▪− radicals as well as nonradical (1O2). This work put forward a simple method for synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) derived catalysts and its application in treatment of organic pollutants.