Efficient Adsorption and Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride Using Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Cobalt-Based Catalysts and Mechanism Insight

High-performance Co-based catalysts were derived by pyrolysis using synthesized MOFs as self-sacrificial templates. Various catalytic systems were constructed by peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). Adsorption–degradation efficiencies, cycle performance, dynamics, and the adsorption catalytic mechanism of various catalytic systems for TC were studied. The effects of different synthetic solvents, pyrolysis temperatures, and single/bimetallic element compositions on degradation efficiency were innovatively compared. The optimal catalyst and PMS dosage for the experiment were determined to be 10 mg and 0.1 mL, respectively. The results indicated that all catalytic systems could efficiently degrade TC and have a high acid–base resistance. The catalyst activity was significantly influenced by the pyrolysis temperature. The optimum pyrolysis temperatures for Zn@Co-N-C-T, CH3OH@Co-N-C-T, and H2O@Co-N-C-T were 1000, 900 and 900 °C, respectively. More abundant pore structures and active sites were generated in Zn@Co-N-C-1000, exhibiting an excellent TC degradation efficiency and adsorption capacity, achieving 94.73% and 167.564 mg/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the total organic carbon (TOC) of TC (50 mL, 50 mg/L) achieved a removal rate (TOC/TOC0) of 50.28%. Zn@Co-N-C-1000/PMS maintained over 83.27% TC degradation after five cycles. The adsorption mechanism of the catalyst for TC was investigated through the analysis of adsorption kinetics and isotherm models. The quenching test and EPR results indicated that TC was primarily degraded through the nonradical pathway. The efficient degradation of TC is attributed to the rapid electron transfer processes occurring at the two-phase interface and the redox cycling of Co0/Co2+/Co3+. Finally, LC–MS was used to analyze the intermediate products of TC degradation in the Zn@Co-N-C-1000/PMS system, and two degradation pathways were proposed.