Dual strategies to construct electrospun NiCo2O4/boron-doped LaCoO3 heterojunction catalysts to activate peroxymonosulfate for organic pollutant degradation

Abstract

The spinel and perovskite-based heterogeneous catalysts play indispensable roles in the sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation process (SR-AOP). In this study, novel electrospun boron-doped NiCo2O4/LaCo1−xBxO3 (NCO/Bx, 0 ≤ x < 1) catalysts were constructed using defect and interface engineering to accelerate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Due to the synergistic impacts of oxygen vacancies (OVs) and heterointerfaces, NCO/B0.2 demonstrated improved catalytic performance toward the degradation of Orange II (Org II). The NCO/B0.2 catalyst showed a high degree of pH tolerance, with a range of 5.0–11.0, while maintaining a removal rate of 94.2% even after five cycles. The degradation pathway exhibited a preference for non-radical mechanisms, with singlet oxygen (1O2) being the dominant reactive oxygen species. The synthesis method for NCO/Bx exhibits the potential to facilitate rational design and large-scale production of exceptionally effective heterostructured catalysts.