An efficient multi-path to active peroxymonosulfate by carbon and sulfur co-doped boron nitride for antibiotics degradation: An emerging electron-transfer pathway at activated-S sites

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2025-01, Vol.352, p.128089, Article 128089
• Main Authors: Zhao, Qingzi, Liu, Da, Wu, Yizhou, Zhou, Liang, Lu, Sitong, Lei, Juying, Zhang, Jinlong, Liu, Yongdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Boron nitride; Co-doping; Electron transfer; Multi-pathways; Peroxymonosulfate activation
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128089

[Display omitted] •SC-BN is synthesized through a straightforward one-step calcination process.•B-N-C bonds and C-S-C bonds are identified as two functional active groups.•Boron, carbon, and sulfur serve as active sites for distinct pathways.•The electron transfer pathway (ETP) is modulated by co-doping with carbon and sulfur.•Electrical energy per order (EE/O) is used to evaluate the commercial value of SC-BN. Metal-free catalysis is considered promising for the green degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. Herein, a novel non-metallic heteroatom-doped boron nitride (h-BN) catalyst with carbon and sulfur doping, named SC-BN, was successfully prepared. Under optimal conditions, the SC-BN/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system can achieve an impressive 99.4 % levofloxacin removal within 90 min (kobs = 0.0531 min−1). In-depth physicochemical characterizations have identified B-N-C and C-S-C as co-active functional groups. The electrochemical characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations further verified the enhanced electron transfer pathway (ETP) at S sites, which was activated by an emerging electric field. h-BN as a highly electroactive material also plays a positive role in regulation. Besides, the electrical energy per order (EE/O = 6.65 kWh/m3) and toxicity evaluation results exhibited the practical potential for eco-friendly detoxification and degradation of various refractory contaminants. In summary, this study puts forth a novel metal-free PMS activation process with an efficient multi-path mechanism and provides a theoretical foundation for future research.