Cobalt-doped boosted the peroxymonosulfate activation performance of LaFeO3 perovskite for atrazine degradation

Abstract

In this work, cobalt (Co) doped perovskite with a molecular formula of LaFe0.9Co0.1O3 (LFCO) was synthesized, and was successfully employed for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to eliminate atrazine (ATZ) from water. In contrast with alone perovskite without doped Co (LFO), the PMS activation performance was significantly improved. The influences of experimental parameters including LFCO dosage, PMS content, and reaction pH on the elimination of ATZ were discussed. Based on the consequences of quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance test, OH and SO4− were confirmed to be the primary active species in the LFCO/PMS system. LFCO surface chemistry analysis combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to systematically reveal the underlying activation pathway of LFCO and suggested that there is a synergetic function between Co and Fe in PMS activation via accelerating redox cycle of surface metal ions. Additionally, the application potential of the LFCO/PMS system was discussed by demonstrating its resistance to common water matrix. The possible transformation pathway of ATZ in the LFCO/PMS system was proposed according to the findings of UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. This research sheds light on the role of bimetallic oxides in PMS activation for degrading organic contaminants.