Natural diatomite mediated spherically monodispersed CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for efficient catalytic oxidation of bisphenol A through activating peroxymonosulfate

Porous magnetic CoFe2O4/diatomite catalyst (CFD) was rationally synthesized via a facile citrate combustion process. The relationship between catalytic performance and material properties of the prepared catalysts was comprehensively investigated by various characterizations, especially for the interface interaction between CoFe2O4 and diatomite as well as crystallization regulation of CoFe2O4. Overall, higher specific surface area, overspreading surface hydroxyl groups, better crystal dispersion and abundant surface-active sites make CFD have better degradation performance of bisphenol A (BPA) than pure CoFe2O4 in the presence of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), and the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of 40-CFD (40% CoFe2O4/diatomite) is almost 5.32 times higher than that of pure CoFe2O4. Besides, CFD has excellent magnetic properties, lower metal dissolution rate and good reusability. In addition, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching experiments show that sulfate radicals (SO4−) and singlet oxygen radicals (1O2) generated from the electron transfer of BPA molecule and valence state change of transition metals should be the predominant oxidation species. Moreover, possible degradation pathways of BPA are determined by the detection of intermediates derived from the results of liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer (LC–MS). In brief, it is indicated that the CoFe2O4/diatomite composite material is an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst, which has a great potential application in wastewater treatment by activating PMS.