Preparation of nitrogen-containing carbon using a one-step thermal polymerization method for activation of peroxymonosulfate to degrade bisphenol A

Abstract

Nitrogen-containing carbon materials (NCC-x) are promising metal-free catalysts for activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to treat with aqueous organic pollutants. In this study, NCC-x were synthesized via a facile thermal polymerization method using urea and terephthalaldehyde as precursors. This method was derived from the polymerization method of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and the reaction between the precursors was based on Schiff base chemistry. Compared with the synthesis of g-C3N4 using urea as the precursor, formation of a melamine ring was inhibited and the cyano groups were produced in NCC-x during the polymerization process. The obtained NCC-x catalysts had high specific surface areas, many graphite-nitrogen active sites, and high degrees of graphitization, thus exhibiting excellent activities for the degradation of bisphenol A via PMS activation. This study introduces a convenient method to obtain a highly efficient nitrogen-containing carbon PMS activator and the results are useful for the development of bisphenol A treatment by PMS activation using carbon-containing materials.