Renewable and robust biomass waste-derived Co-doped carbon aerogels for PMS activation: Catalytic mechanisms and phytotoxicity assessment

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2021-09, Vol.220, p.112381-112381, Article 112381
• Main Authors: Geng, Guomin, Gao, Yanhui, Zhang, Zhitong, Gao, Kangqi, Zhang, Wenyu, Song, Jianjun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2, 4-Dichlorophenol degradation; Carbon aerogel; Monolithic catalyst; Phytotoxicity assessment; PMS activation
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112381

Developing monolithic carbon-based catalyst with low cost, easy separation and high performance to degrade pollutants via PMS activation is crucial. In this work, a series of novel monolithic Me-CA catalysts based on biomass derived carbon aerogel were prepared by hydrothermal method using waste watermelon peel as raw material. Co-CA catalyst showed excellent performance to activate PMS for 2, 4-DCP degradation in different temperature and different water matrices. Different pollutants, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), bisphenol A (BPA), and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) could also be removed in the Co-CA/PMS system. As expected, Co-CA could be easily separated from degraded solution, and show high stability and reusability for PMS activation with a lower cobalt leaching. Based on the results of the quenching tests, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, Chronoamperometric test (i-t curves) and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the PMS activation mechanism was proposed. The phytotoxicity assessment determined by germination situation of mung bean indicated that PMS activation could eliminate the hazards of 2, 4-D. Therefore, this study provides a low cost, efficient and environmental-friendly monolithic biomass carbon aerogel catalyst for different pollutants degradation, which further advances monolithic catalyst for practical wastewater treatment. •Waste watermelon peel was transformed into monolithic Me-CA catalysts for PMS activation.•The Co-CA catalyst exhibited excellent performance and cycle stability to activate PMS for 2, 4-DCP degradation.•SO4•-, 1O2 were the main active species involved in the Co-CA/PMS system.•Monolithic Me-CA catalysts could be easily recovered and show excellent reusability and stability for PMS activation.•Phytotoxicity assessment confirmed the complete detoxification of 2, 4-D by PMS activation.