Microwave-assisted synthesis of amorphous cobalt nanoparticle decorated N-doped biochar for highly efficient degradation of sulfamethazine via peroxymonosulfate activation

• In the present work, a microwave-assisted and secondary roasting preparation process was used to synthesize nanocomposite materials. These materials were modified with amorphous cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) on the surface of biochar doped with different nitrogen sources (melamine (Me), 1,10-phenanthroline (Ph), and urea (Ur)). The nanocomposite (Co-N-C(Ur)) with urea as the nitrogen source promoted the generation of mesopores on the surface of carbon materials due to its evaporation during the preparation process thus enhancing the attachment sites of cobalt nanoparticles. The Co-N-C(Ur) had a more significant degradation effect on the primary carcinogen sulfamethazine (SMT) by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The degradation rate of SMT pollutants was 96.6 % within 30 min. The optimal reaction conditions were as follows: catalyst dosage of 0.4 g L−1, PMS dosage of 0.812 mM, SMT concentration of 10 mg L−1, and pH of 5.67. Additionally, the Co-N-C(Ur) catalysts possess excellent specific surface area due to the evaporation effect of the calcination process of urea itself compared to other nitrogen source doping. Electrochemical tests revealed that the composites prepared with urea as the nitrogen source had higher PMS-induced current density and lowered material impedance values, which effectively promoted the catalytic performance of SMT degradation. Concurrently, the Co-N-C (Ur) + PMS reaction system exhibited excellent catalytic performance against other antibiotic organic pollutants. Subsequently, through the capture experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance technical analyses, it was determined that the singlet 1O2 played a leading role in the reaction system. Finally, a thorough liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis suggested the possible SMT degradation pathways, thereby providing a new strategy for the subsequent heterogeneous catalysts to degrade persistent organic pollutants.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Materials Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Microwave-assisted synthesis

Nitrogen source-doped biochar

Peroxymonosulfate activation

Sulfamethazine degradation

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)