Unveiling the role of cobalt species in the Co/N-C catalysts-induced peroxymonosulfate activation process

In this study, three Co/N-C catalysts were prepared by pyrolysis of bimetallic zeolitic imidazole frameworks with different Co/Zn ratio, and the critical active Co species in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation was investigated. The three catalysts had distinct cobalt species but similar N configuration and graphitization degree. The Co species were distributed as single atoms (Co SAs) at a Co/Zn molar ratio of 1:8, while Co nanoclusters (Co NCs) and Co nanoparticles (NPs) would be formed with further increase in Co content. The degradation efficiency of BPA did not show correlation with the increasing of Co content in catalyst. Based on the catalytic performance comparison and reactive species detection, Co SAs was identified as active sites, which could interact with PMS to generate 1O2 via path of PMS→HOO*→O*→1O2. However, the role of NCs and NPs in directly activating PMS was negligible. In addition, the increase of Co content in Co/N-C catalyst would result in mass cobalt leaching, which enhanced the BPA degradation via homogeneous catalytic reactions with CoIV as reactive species. It is an effective way to design the Co/N-C catalyst with high catalytic activity and stability via regulating the formation of Co SAs.