MOF-Derived Bimetal-Embedded Carbon with Etched Morphologies as an Efficient Activator of Peroxymonosulfate for Eliminate Emerging Contaminants

Abstract

As bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)methanone (BHP) is one of the most common UV light stabilizers (UVLS), but exhibits endocrine disrupting toxicity, this study aims to develop useful sulfate radical-based techniques to eliminate BHP from water by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Hence, while cobalt (Co) exhibits efficacy as a transition metal for the activation of PMS, the utilization of manganese/cobalt (Mn/Co) bimetallic oxides presents an even more encouraging prospect as heterogeneous catalysts for PMS activation. In this study, we have successfully produced N-doped carbon-supported Mn/Co nanoparticles (NCMC) with a distinctive hollow-engineered nanostructure. The synthesis involved the utilization of Co-MOF as a precursor, followed by easy etching and Mn doping to achieve the desired composition of Mn/Co bimetallic oxide nanoparticles. The inclusion of Mn dopant facilitates the integration of Mn/Co nanoparticles into the hollow-structured N-doped carbon matrix. NCMC demonstrates much higher activity compared to NCC and the benchmark catalyst, Co₃O₄ NP, in terms of PMS activation for the degradation of BHP. The findings of the eco-toxicity study indicate that the degradation of BHP by NCMC + PMS does not yield hazardous or extremely toxic byproducts, so establishing NCMC as a potentially effective heterogeneous catalyst for activating PMS in the degradation of BHP.