Degradation bensulfuron-methyl by magnetic CoFe alloy@N-doped graphitized carbon derived from CoFe2O4 activated by peroxymonosulfate

Magnetic CoFe [email protected] graphitized carbon nano-catalyst ([email protected]) was synthesized by hydrothermal method and chemical deposition method, which could couple with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade herbicide bensulfuron-methyl (BSM). CoFe alloy nanoparticles were encapsulated in N-doped graphitized carbon yarn-like material, providing strong stability and high corrosion resistance properties of them. Furthermore, CoFe alloy can make great improvement of degradation performance via tuning metal site's intrinsic performance of the Fermi energy level density of states. [email protected] (k = 0.4 min−1) displayed better catalytic performance than CoFe2O4 (k = 0.14 min−1) because of the intrinsic strengths of each component, synergy between cobalt and iron, doping of nitrogen atoms and graphitized carbon and unique electronic properties. 10 mg·L−1 bensulfuron-methyl was degraded completely by the combination of [email protected] and PMS within 10 min at pH 7. Magnetic [email protected] could be separated from solution by an external magnet, thus making convenience to collect catalyst and avoiding second pollution. After 15 recycling use of [email protected], the BSM degradation efficiency could still be maintained at 95%. [email protected]/PMS system exhibited stable degradation ability over a wide pH range (3–8) and displayed strong tolerance to real water samples. The main active species, possible BSM degradation pathways and potential reaction mechanism of [email protected]/PMS were systematically explored. Thus, our finding can provide an environmental friendly, efficient and easy recycle catalyst to degrade refractory organic matters by PMS activation.