Promoted BPA degradation in food waste leachate via alkali-fluffed CoFe2O4@CoSiOx activated PMS under the assistance of inherent acetate

The removal of bisphenol A (BPA) from food waste leachate (FWL) is challenging but of great significance. Herein, an alkali post-treatment approach was performed to obtain the fluffed hybrid‑cobalt core-shell nano-catalyst (AF-CoFe 2 O 4 @CoSiO x ) for the activation of PMS to degrade BPA with high efficiency. The comprehensive results from electron paramagnetic resonance technology, chemical probes and radical scavengers revealed the radical and non-radical pathways are co-existed in the system, and both of which could be promoted by accelerating the valence state cycling of Co(III)/Co(II) with the presence of acetate (Ac − ). As an inherent component, the appropriate amount of Ac − facilitated the degradation of the electron-rich contaminants in practical FWL, especially BPA (100% removal). Furthermore, the magnetic core of AF-CoFe 2 O 4 @CoSiO x also enabled its good recycling with easy operation. The rational design of the core-shell nano-catalysts and the exploring of the overlooked important role of non-radical pathways stimulated by the inherent components in actual wastewater in this study offered a promising win-win strategy to realize BPA treatment in the future. • AF-CoFe 2 O 4 @CoSiO x with more evenly distributed Co-OH active sites were designed. • Acetate significantly promoted BPA degradation by producing more SO 4 •− and 1 O 2 . • The binding of Ac − increased O vac to devote as the source of the enhanced 1 O 2 . • Selectivity for electron rich pollutants in food waste leachate with inherent Ac − was found. • More than 90% BPA could be removed even after 5 consecutive runs.