Enhancing ibuprofen degradation in aqueous solutions: The synergistic role of bimetallic MOFs (Mn/ZIF-67) and modified graphene oxide in peroxymonosulfate activation

An innovative bimetallic (Co and Mn) composite catalyst, Mn/ZIF-67@GO, was synthesized for effective peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and rapid degradation of ibuprofen (IBP). The Mn/ZIF-67@GO/PMS system demonstrates remarkable catalytic performance, achieving a 98 % degradation of a 0.05 mM IBP solution within 15 min. This high efficiency is maintained across a pH range of 5 to 9, with excellent system stability over five cycles, showing only minimal metal leaching (Co and Mn < 50 µg/L). The system's versatility is further proven by its ability to remove over 80 % of other antibiotics tested. Additionally, a detailed mechanism study has identified 5 degradation pathways and 19 intermediates of IBP, offering deep insights into the catalytic process. Our findings underscore the potential of MOFs in advanced water treatment applications through PMS activation, presenting a promising approach for antibiotic removal.