Co3O4/C-PC composite derived from pomelo peel-loaded ZIF-67 for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade ciprofloxacin

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) derived metal oxides/carbon catalysts have attracted a lot of attention in the field of environmental remediation, but the agglomeration of MOFs derived metal oxides remains a challenge. Herein, low-cost and readily accessible pomelo peel (PP) was chosen as a high-quality carrier for MOFs (ZIF-67). In situ growth of ZIF-67 on PP cores was followed by one-step pyrolysis of the PP/ZIF-67 material to yield the derivative composite material (Co 3 O 4 /C-PC). The degradation of CIP in water by Co 3 O 4 /C-PC activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was investigated. The results reveal that the CIP degradation efficiency in the Co 3 O 4 /C-PC/PMS system can reach 93.3 %, and the system has good durability and anti-interference ability, and can be applied to a wide pH range of 5–11. The effects of various experimental parameters were investigated. The radical pathway (SO 4 − and OH) and the nonradical pathway ( 1 O 2 ) both contributed to the degradation of CIP. This work proposes new ideas for the preparation of low-cost biomass/MOFs derived catalysts for the application of water treatment. • Co 3 O 4 /C-PC composite derived from Pomelo peel-loaded ZIF-67. • Co 3 O 4 /C-PC has an excellent capacity for PMS activation and CIP degradation. • CIP was efficiently degraded over a wide pH range of 5–11. • Both radicals (SO 4 − and OH) and nonradical ( 1 O 2 ) were involved in the degradation of CIP.