Rational design of CoxMn3-xO4 embedded carbon composites from MOF-74 structure for boosted peroxymonosulfate activation: A dual pathway mechanism

Spinel structured CoxMn3-xO4 nanoparticles embedded carbon composites (CoxMn3-xO4-C) were rationally designed and prepared using Co/Mn bimetallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as the template. The CoxMn3-xO4-C represented prominent bisphenol A (BPA) degradation capability by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS), in which Co1.5Mn1.5O4-C exhibited the highest BPA degradation efficiency. Specifically, Co1.5Mn1.5O4-C (0.1 g/L) could completely degrade 0.1 mM of BPA within 3 min, which was better than many previous reported catalysts. Moreover, the Co2+ leaching was limited in the Co1.5Mn1.5O4-C/PMS system. It was revealed that hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2) were the main active species in the reaction system, which dominated a dual pathway mechanism for BPA degradation. Furthermore, the Co1.5Mn1.5O4-C could maintain its performance in a variety of water matrices with promising recyclability. This study encourages the rational design and preparation of high-efficient catalysts by employing tunable MOFs precursors for refractory organic pollutant degradation.