Role of Borate and Phosphate Buffers in the Degradation of Organic Compounds in a PMS/Co2+ System: Influencing Factors and Mechanisms

Abstract

Peroxymonosulfate(PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes were widely used for the degradation of organic pollutants. Electron-rich azo dye Acid Orange 7(AO7) was selected as the target organic matter in this work. The differences, influencing factors, efficiency, and mechanisms of a PMS/Co2+ homogeneous system in the degradation of organic pollutants with two different buffers of boric acid(Lewis acid) and phosphoric acid(Bronstede acid) were investigated. The k value of AO7 degradation in the PMS/Co2+ homogeneous system with phosphate buffer was greater than that with borate buffer, but the degradation percentage during the first 10 seconds of the reaction was lower in the former case. These differences were affected by buffer concentration, the PMS and Co2+ dosages, and pH. In the phosphate buffer, ·OH or SO4-· contributed to organic degradation in the PMS/Co2+ system, while in the borate buffer, the nonradical pathway(1O2) made a critical contribution to the removal of organics. This study provides a reference for the application of different types of buffers in the homogeneous catalysis of PMS.