Degradation Of Methylparaben Research Articles

Triangle CeO2/g-C3N4 heterojunctions: Enhanced light-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylparaben

In this work, an efficient photocatalytic system for methylparaben (MP) removal, using solar (λ > 360 nm) and visible (λ > 420 nm) light-driven CeO2/g-C3N4 (CeO2/CN) heterojunctions is reported for the first time. The physicochemical properties of pure CeO2, CN, and CeO2/CN composites were investigated using characterization techniques, such as XRD, FESEM-EDS, TEM, UV–Vis, PL, XPS, and electrochemical spectroscopy. Among the catalysts with different mass ratios of CeO2, 10 %CeO2/CN showed the best photocatalytic performance. This is attributed to the enhanced charge carrier’s separation because of the proper band-edge alignment between CN and CeO2 components, and the strong visible light absorbance. The photocatalytic degradation of MP followed the first-order kinetics, and the 10 %CeO2/CN catalyst exhibited a 3.8- and 11.3-times higher reaction rate (k) constant than that of pure CN, investigated under solar and visible light illumination, respectively. Further, scavenger trapping experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (OH.) and dissolved oxygen are the predominant active species in MP oxidation over 10 %CeO2/CN composite catalyst. 1H NMR and LCMS-HPLC results and observations showed complete degradation of MP (0.1 g/L) to CO2 and H2O after 7 h of solar irradiation, due to the absence of the representative peaks of MP and its organic degradation products (e.g. phenols, benzoates).

Highly efficient electrocatalytic degradation of methylparaben using BiOx-doped Ti/β-PbO2 anode: Comprehensive electrochemical study and degradation mechanism

Electrochemical degradation of methylparaben (MPB) was successfully performed using Ti/β-PbO2-BiOx anode. The structure of the fabricated electrode was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mapping techniques. The results confirmed the successful preparation of the electrode with favorable morphological and structural properties. This research includes optimization of operating parameters such as solution pH, applied current density, initial MPB concentration and electrolysis time. The results indicate that the prepared electrode has high electrochemical performance and thermal stability. Under optimal conditions, current density of 4.8 mA/cm2, pH = 5 and initial concentration of 0.5 mM, the maximum degradation efficiency of 98.9 % was obtained. In this work, also, based on the data obtained from LC-MS analysis, a detailed mechanism for the degradation of MPB was proposed. In another section of this research, the electrochemical behavior of MPB on glassy carbon electrode was comprehensively studied using cyclic voltammetry at different pH values. The data obtained from this study provide significant insight into the electrochemical behavior of MPB, its pH-dependent properties and adsorption activities. The results of this section can also be used to better optimize the conditions of MPB degradation.

Highly efficient activation of sulfite by oxygen vacancies-enriched ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4 for methylparaben degradation

The exploitation of a novel catalyst was of great significance for sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using sulfite as the precursor of sulfate radical. Herein, oxygen vacancies-enriched ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4 was prepared and applied to activate sulfite for the degradation of methylparaben (MeP). ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4 showed superior catalytic activity than that of ZnFe2O4, allowing an 85.2 % removal efficiency of MeP within 60 min. The initial pH showed a significant effect on the catalytic performance, and about 92.1 % of MeP could be removed at pH of 9.56 in ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4/sulfite system. The quenching experiments and EPR tests verified SO4− and OH were the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4/sulfite system. The catalytic mechanism was elucidated further by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4 before and after the reaction. The recycles of Zn2+/Zn3+, Fe2+/Fe3+ and Ce3+/Ce4+ were the key factor for the activation of sulfite, and oxygen vacancies on catalyst surface promoted the activation of sulfite. The degradation intermediates of MeP were determined by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and the degradation pathway was proposed. The reusability of ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4 was evidenced by the recycling experiments. In addition, ZnCe0.4Fe1.6O4/sulfite system exhibited excellent applicability in treating other organic contaminants.

A self-assembly BiOI/Bi4O5Br2 microcluster and its efficiently visible-light-induced photocatalytic degradation of methylparaben

Herein, we developed a self-assembly heterostructured BiOI/Bi4O5Br2 microcluster with the hydrothermal method. Catalysts were mainly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectra. The results showed that due to charge induction, BiOI nanosheets were successfully self-assembled and deposited on Bi4O5Br2, forming a unique heterojunction and achieving strong transient photocurrent response. Performances of catalysts were tested and effects of different initial concentrations of the Methylparaben (MPB), catalyst dosage, initial pH and total organic carbon (TOC) conversion were studied. Results reveal that catalytic activity increased with lower initial concentration of MPB and the best dosage of catalyst is 0.5 g·L-1. The BiOI/Bi4O5Br2 microcluster exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation, which can degrade 97% MPB in 2 h and the TOC value is only 20% of the original. The catalytic degradation process conforms to pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.030 min-1. The results of detailed active species detection indicate that the photogenerated holes and •O2− radicals play the main role in the photocatalytic system. In addition, photoelectrochemical measurements reveal that the excellent strengthened photocatalytic activity is due to the high separation and transfer efficiency derived from the heterostructure.

A Simple Approach to Prepare a C3N4/MoO3 Heterojunction with Improved Photocatalytic Performance for the Degradation of Methylparaben

The adequate optical properties, low cost, and thermal stability of graphitic carbon nitride and molybdenum oxide make them both promising materials for photocatalytic applications. However, they both suffer from strong recombination of their photogenerated charge carriers. Therefore, searching for strategies that enable an efficient charge carrier separation is desirable for improving the photocatalytic performance of both semiconductors. In this work, we have synthesized a g-C3N4/MoO3 heterojunction by a facile solid dispersion approach to the pristine semiconductors that allows a uniform dispersion of the two phases in the heterojunction. The resulting hybrid photocatalyst exhibits light absorption features similar to pristine g-C3N4 and presents an improved separation of the photogenerated charge carriers, likely through a Z-scheme between both semiconductor phases, as inferred by photoelectrochemical measurements. As a result, the g-C3N4/MoO3 heterojunction showed better photocatalytic activity than the individual semiconductors and good cycling stability for the degradation of methylparaben and its reaction intermediates. We drew these conclusions based on total organic carbon (TOC) measurements.

Ni/Co/Carbon nitride derived from ZIF-67 (MOF) nanocomposite: Enhanced light-driven photocatalytic degradation of methylparaben, mechanism & toxicity

A nickel oxide/cobalt/carbon nitride (Ni/Co/CN) nanocomposite synthesized via co-precipitation was used for the degradation of methylparaben (MEP). Various analytical techniques were used to ascertain the structural, optical, and electrochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite. The unique nature of the compound without any free particles over the CN was established. Photocatalytic degradation studies demonstrated the superiority of 3-Ni/Co/CN over bare NiO, Co/CN, 1-Ni/Co/CN, and 5-Ni/Co/CN. Near complete MEP degradation (100%) was achieved after 120 min of incubation with MEP 75 mg L−1 in acidic medium pH (3) for an initial concentration of 3-Ni/Co/CN (10 mg/100 mL). HPLC-MS/MS analysis was used to elucidate the degradation pathway, and the catalyst was found stable for four subsequent cycles. Hence, our nanocatalyst effectively degraded MEP. Furthermore, microbial, aquatic, and animal studies demonstrated the environmental efficiency of the synthesized nanomaterials.

Nickel–iron-driven heterogenous bio-electro-fenton process for the degradation of methylparaben

Discharge of emerging contaminants such as parabens in natural water bodies is a grievous concern. Among parabens, methylparaben (MP) is most prevalent due to its extensive usage in personal care and food products and has been purported to trigger hormonal-related diseases. In this regard, the bio-electro-Fenton (BEF) process garners attention for remediating refractory compounds because of its ability to generate in situ hydroxyl radicals (•OH) utilising the energy harvested from electroactive microorganisms. In the present investigation, a Ni–Fe-driven heterogenous BEF system (BEF-MFC) was used to degrade MP from different matrices. At neutral catholyte pH, 99.54 ± 0.22% of MP was removed from an initial concentration of 10 mg/L in 240 min of retention time with an estimated treatment cost of about 1.01 $/m3. The removal rate ameliorated when the catholyte pH was dropped to 3.0 and by imposing an external voltage of 0.5 V, requiring just 120 min to achieve comparable MP removal efficiencies. However, catalyst leaching was higher at acidic pH (leaching of Fe ions = 0.44 mg/L and Ni ions = 0.06 mg/L) and applying external voltage increased the treatment cost slightly to 1.08 $/m3. Further, treatment of 10 mg/L MP-spiked real wastewater at pH of 7.0 with the BEF-MFC attained 85.70 ± 3.30% and 56.50 ± 1.70% reduction in MP and total organic carbon, respectively, in 240 min. In addition, a maximum power density of 205.90 ± 2.27 mW/cm2 was harvested in the BEF-MFC; thus, portraying the dual benefit of Ni–Fe heterogeneous catalyst. Even though, Ni–Fe performed reasonably well as Fenton-cum-cathode catalyst, future endeavours should be poised to fine-tune catalysts to accelerate H2O2 and •OH generation, which will reinforce the scalability of this system.

Porous cyclopentadiene unit-incorporated graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of recalcitrant organic micropollutants in wastewater

For the purpose of searching for efficient photocatalysts to deal with recalcitrant organic micropollutants in wastewater, here an in-situ supramolecule self-assembly-thermal polymerization strategy is developed to prepare a series of porous cyclopentadiene (CPD) unit-incorporated g-C3N4 ultrathin nanosheets (CCPD-g-C3N4). The CCPD-g-C3N4 demonstrate CPD unit doping level-dependent and remarkably enhanced visible-light photocatalytic oxidation efficiency towards two organic micropollutants, acetaminophen and methylparaben, in which the optimized CCPD-g-C3N4-2 shows 6.1 and 3.5 times higher acetaminophen and methylparaben degradation rate than bulk g-C3N4; moreover, CCPD-g-C3N4-2 is still robust and efficient in the treatment of five mixed organic micropollutants in pharmaceutical wastewater, and the satisfactory micropollutant removal efficiency is obtained in a wide pH window and the presence of high concentrations of inorganic anions and cations as well as dissolved organic matters. Theoretical calculation combined with experimental test reveal that CCPD-g-C3N4 can significantly reduce ecological risk of the target pollutant after the photocatalytic degradation reaction. Such enhanced photocatalytic oxidation efficiency is dominated by the accelerated charge carrier separation dynamics and extended visible-light response region due to the incorporation of CPD units, which finally lead to the generation of abundant reactive oxygen species to degrade and mineralize target micropollutants efficiently.

Avaliação do uso da radiação UV e ozônio na degradação do metilparabeno

[Introduction]: Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are now a subject of interest for various areas of scientific research, mostly international studies are identified, however, there is still insufficient information on the true effects of these compounds on the environment and on the health of populations that are in contact with these types of contaminants, requiring in turn the search and execution of effective treatments to minimize their bioaccumulation in the environment, especially those substances of pharmaceutical origin, which are already being recognized for their high degree of toxicity. [Objective]: In the present investigation, the degradation of the emerging contaminant methylparaben was studied. [Methodology]: For this study, the distilled water was contaminated, after which the analysis of the effectiveness of ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and the combined treatment of UV radiation and ozonation in the degradation of the substance of pharmaceutical origin was carried out. [Results]: In the study it was found that the combined treatment of UV radiation and ozonation was more effective in the degradation of methylparaben, compared to the techniques of UV and Ozone radiation used separately. [Conclusions]: The results obtained in this research generate information regarding a new alternative that allows the degradation of pharmaceutical contaminants, such as methylparaben, to minimize the environmental impact of this type of substance.

Methylparaben toxicity and its removal by microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The widespread occurrence of methylparaben (MPB) has aroused great concern due to its weak estrogenic endocrine-disrupting property and potential toxic effects. However, the degradation potential and pathway of MPB by microalgae have rarely been reported. Here, microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Phaeodactylum tricornutum were used to investigate their responses, degradation potential and mechanisms towards MPB. MPB showed low-dose stimulation (by 86.02 ± 0.07% at 1 mg/L) and high-dose inhibition (by 60.17 ± 0.05% at 80 mg/L) towards the growth of C. vulgaris, while showed inhibition for P. tricornutum (by 6.99 ± 0.05%−20.14 ± 0.19%). The degradation efficiencies and rates of MPB were higher in C. vulgaris (100%, 1.66 ± 0.54–5.60 ± 0.86 day−1) than in P. tricornutum (4.3–34.2%, 0.04 ± 0.01–0.08 ± 0.00 day−1), which could be explained by the significantly higher extracellular enzyme activity and more fluctuation of the protein ratio for C. vulgaris, indicating a higher ability of C. vulgaris to adapt to pollutant stress. Biodegradation was the main removal mechanism of MPB for both the two microalgae. Furthermore, two different degradation pathways of MPB by the two microalgae were proposed. MPB could be mineralized and completely detoxified by C. vulgaris. Overall, this study provides novel insights into MPB degradation by microalgae and strategies for simultaneous biodegradation and detoxification of MPB in the environment.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylparaben Using Green Nanosilver Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylparaben Using Green Nanosilver Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide

Optimization of thermal exfoliation of graphitic carbon nitride for methylparaben photocatalytic degradation under simulated solar radiation

A full factorial 32 design was used to optimize the exfoliation treatment of g-C3N4 to enhance its photocatalytic performance for methyl paraben degradation.

Degradation of Methylparaben Using Optimal WO3 Nanostructures: Influence of the Annealing Conditions and Complexing Agent

In this work, WO3 nanostructures were synthesized with different complexing agents (0.05 M H2O2 and 0.1 M citric acid) and annealing conditions (400 °C, 500 °C and 600 °C) to obtain optimal WO3 nanostructures to use them as a photoanode in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) degradation of an endocrine disruptor chemical. These nanostructures were studied morphologically by a field emission scanning electron microscope. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed to provide information of the electronic states of the nanostructures. The crystallinity of the samples was observed by a confocal Raman laser microscope and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, photoelectrochemical measurements (photostability, photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott-Schottky and water-splitting test) were also performed using a solar simulator with AM 1.5 conditions at 100 mW·cm-2. Once the optimal nanostructure was obtained (citric acid 0.01 M at an annealing temperature of 600 °C), the PEC degradation of methylparaben (CO 10 ppm) was carried out. It was followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, which allowed to obtain the concentration of the contaminant during degradation and the identification of degradation intermediates. The optimized nanostructure was proved to be an efficient photocatalyst since the degradation of methylparaben was performed in less than 4 h and the kinetic coefficient of degradation was 0.02 min-1.

Degradation of cosmetic ingredient methylparaben by zinc oxide nanoparticles, aided by sonication, light or a combination of sonication and light

Parabens are frequently used in cosmetics and their high quantities in wastewater are detrimental to the ecosystem. The effect of sonication, light aid and a combination of both on nano-sized zinc oxide-mediated degradation of methylparaben (MP) was investigated using electronic spectroscopy and differential conductometry. The time-dependent absorption at λ max of MP (i.e. 254 nm) was used to monitor the system. The degradation process that followed pseudo-first-order kinetics was augmented by the presence of ZnO. Light exposure gave better results than sonication; however, a negative synergy was observed under the combined catalysis. This limitation was overcome using constant sonication time, a high amount of catalyst and variable light exposure duration. Conductivity measurements revealed an excess of free radical or neutral species. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) indicated a wurtzite hexagonal structure and crystallite size of 39 nm for ZnO NPs. In Fourier transform infrared spectrum, the Zn-O band was observed at 618 cm−1.

Biogenic Mn2O3 via the redox of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 for peroxymonosulfate advanced oxidation

The manganese Mn(II) oxidizing by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (MR-1) underlines a new pathway for Mn nanoparticle synthesis. However, the mechanism of Mn oxidizing and the compositions of biogenic products remain unknown. Here, the oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn2O3 nanoparticles was discovered, and was to be driven by cytochrome c reductase Complex III. According to the transcriptomic analysis, genes encoding Complex III were upregulated during the Mn(II) oxidizing process, corresponding to the inability of mutants ΔpetC and ΔpetA (Complex III subunits). The morphology and activity of Mn2O3 particles were further controlled by the extracellular electron transfer of MR-1, associated with the change of the shape from nanoparticle to nanosheet and with stronger electron transfer ability, and eventually led to a 1.5-fold higher methylparaben degradation rate by activating peroxymonosulfate radical oxidizing effectively. Our work provides insights into the Mn-oxidizing mechanism and modification of biogenic Mn for pollutant removal.

Model simulation and mechanism of Fe(0/II/III) cycle activated persulfate degradation of methylparaben based on hydroxylamine enhanced nano-zero-valent iron

The mechanism of Fe2+-activated peroxodisulfate (PDS) by hydroxylamine (HA) has been investigated, however, nano zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (nZVI/PDS) has a more optimal effect and needs further investigation. This study investigated the addition of HA to nZVI/PDS to improve Fe2+ regeneration and accelerate methylparaben (MP) degradation by Fe (0/II/III) cycle. After 60 min of reaction, the HA-enhanced nZVI/PDS (HA/nZVI/PDS) system afforded a 21% increase in MP degradation, reaching 93.26% (1 mM HA, 1 mM nZVI, and 2 mM PDS). nZVI/PDS system was a second-order reaction, but after adding HA, the reaction was more suitable for the first-order reaction. The addition of HA effectively promoted the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ to improve the effect and reaction rate of PDS degradation of MP (k increased from 0.0127 min−1 to 0.0198 min−1) and broadened the reaction pH range. The results of various characterizations of nZVI before and after the reaction revealed that nZVI changed from a spherical structure to a bundle structure and was slightly oxidized. Changes in the Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations as well as in the pH of the reaction systems were monitored and the possible reactions of the HA/nZVI/PDS system were derived for the first time (knZVI/PDS<3.7 × 106 M−1 s−1, kFe3+/NH2O· >4.2 min−1). 12 potential compounds were investigated and MP breakdown pathways were speculated; hydroxylation was determined to be the most important pathway of degradation. And the HA/nZVI/PDS system had universal applicability.

Kinetics of zero-valent iron-activated persulfate for methylparaben degradation and the promotion of Cl−

Methylparaben (MP) is an emerging pollutant, and the optimal conditions and kinetics of MP degradation using nano-zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (nZVI/PDS) need to be further investigated. This paper firstly investigated the response surface methodology (RSM) analysis of MP degradation by the heterogeneous system nZVI/PDS and concluded that the initial pH had the most significant effect on MP degradation. The optimal experimental conditions predicted by the RSM were as follows: initial pH 2.75, [nZVI]0 = 2.87 mM, [PDS]0 = 2.18 mM (MP degradation level of 95.30%). First- and second-order kinetic fits were performed for different initial pH levels and different concentrations of MP, nZVI, and PDS. It was determined that k = 0.0365 min−1 (R2 = 0.984) when the initial pH was 3, [PDS]0 = 2 mM, [MP]0 = 20 mg L−1, and [nZVI]0 = 3 mM (MP degradation level of 94.25%). The rest of the conditions were more closely fitted to the second-order reactions. The effects of different concentrations of anions and humic acid (HA) on the MP degradation level and k were examined, and it was found that Cl− could promote MP degradation to 97.69% (increased by 3.65%) and increase the k in accordance with the first-order reaction kinetics (0.0780 min−1, R2 = 0.991). Finally, the analysis of intermediates revealed 5 reaction pathways and 7 reaction intermediates, which inferred a possible reaction mechanism with the recycling performance of nZVI. In this paper, the superiority of nZVI/PDS for the purposes of activating MP degradation was affirmed. The presence of Cl− can enhance the level of MP degradation was confirmed, which provides a new direction for future practical engineering applications.

Synthesis of cobalt ferrite in one-pot-polyol method, characterization, and application to methylparaben photodegradation in the presence of peroxydisulfate

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CFNPs) have been synthesized using a one-pot-polyol method in the presence of different organic mediums as refluxing solvents. The synthesized CFNPs stability, magnetic property, particle size, and structural variations were characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, superconducting quantum interference device, UV–vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CFNPs synthesized in the presence of triethylene glycol achieved the highest saturation magnetization (Ms) 126.7 emu/g. It has been observed that synthesis parameters have significant impacts on the Ms, physical and chemical properties of CFNPs, and need to be explored further in future work. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized CFNPs were investigated at pH 7, under visible light, on the degradation of methylparaben (MeP). The photocatalytic result shows almost a complete degradation of 10 mg/L MeP within 100 min (99.9%), in the presence of 0.2 g/L CFNPs and 2 mM ammonium peroxydisulfate (APDS), while irradiated by visible light. The effect of operating parameters such as pH, APDS concentration, MeP concentration, catalyst amount, and reactive oxygen species were investigated. The photodegradation kinetics are well fitted to the pseudo-first-order kinetics model. The Total Organic Carbon results showed that 81.7% of MeP was completely mineralized, and the photocatalyst showed good stability even after five cycles. The degradation by-products were identified using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and a degradation pathway was proposed.

Enhancement of peroxymonosulfate activation by sinapic acid accelerating Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is more cost-effective than peroxydisulfate (PDS) and has drawn great attention presently. Low efficiency of Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle is a great intrinsic drawback of Fenton-like system, which extremely limits its widespread application. In this study, sinapic acid (SA) as a natural and environmental-friendly reductant, was applied to enhance Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle in PMS/Fe(III) system. The removal efficiency of methyl paraben (MEP) was 98.3% (7.2 × 10−4 s−1) within 90 min in the modified system, and the kobs was 18 times higher than in PMS/Fe(II) system. For the active species identification, SO4−, HO and Fe(Ⅳ) were all responsible for MEP degradation, while SO4− was the dominant radical. The role of SA in SA/PMS/Fe(III) system was investigated, Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II) and SA was oxidized to quinone species in this reaction process. The concentration of Fe(II) and the activation efficiency of PMS were all improved with SA concentration increasing from 5 to 20 μM, and the contribution of active species for MEP degradation were estimated. The effect of initial pH and common anions were also investigated. For the effect of anions, HCO3− and SO42− presented inhibition effect on MEP removal, and with the HCO3− concentration increasing 1–10 mM the inhibition decreased. Low concentration Cl− promoted MEP degradation while Cl− with higher concentration exhibited inhibition. And NO3− was almost no effect on MEP degradation.

Effects of solvent composition on the synthesis of polydopamine Schiff base Cu complex to activate peroxymonosulfate for methyl-paraben degradation

Solvent composition plays an important role in the synthesis of metal complex materials, but to date little work on this issue has been reported. Herein, a unique Schiff base Cu complex catalyst (DPDA-Cu-95EtOH) was designed based on polydopamine (PDA) and 3, 5-dibromosalicylaldehyde (DBSA), and the influence of H2O added during the synthesis process on its catalytic performance towards peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation was comprehensively investigated. Our results demonstrated that adding a small amount (5%, v:v) of H2O to the solvent absolute ethanol (EtOH) can greatly increase the Cu loading (from 3.56 at% to 10.30 at%) on the catalyst, which significantly enhanced its catalytic ability, and promoted the removal of MeP for about 4.6 times higher than that synthesized without addition of H2O. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching tests revealed that 1O2, OH and SO4- were responsible for the degradation of Methyl-paraben (MeP). Moreover, the DPDA-Cu-95EtOH/PMS system not only showed excellent stability and reusability, but also exhibited considerable removal efficiency of MeP in real wastewater. Overall, this study provides new insights into the controllable synthesis of Schiff base metal complex used for the efficient activation of PMS to remove micropollutants in wastewater.