MOF-derived Co/CeO2@GC for the activation of peroxomonosulfate for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

In this study, an efficient and magnetic Co/CeO₂@GC catalyst was synthesized by calcination using Co@Ce-MOF as a precursor. The effects of different catalyst dosages, tetracycline (TC) concentrations, pH values, peroxomonosulfate (PMS) concentrations, temperatures, and coexisting anions on the catalytic performance were investigated. Using 20 mg of catalyst and 20 mg of PMS, the degradation rate of 100 mL of 40 mg L⁻¹ tetracycline could reach 95.7%. The catalyst maintained effective PMS activation across a broad pH range (5–11), retaining 79.2% activity after four consecutive cycles. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and radical quenching experiments confirmed the coexistence of both radical pathways and non-radical pathways in the system, with the latter identified as the dominant contributor to the degradation process. Reaction pathway analysis via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry further elucidated TC transformation mechanisms under these oxidative conditions. This work proposes a MOF-derived material as an efficient PMS activator for a simple method of TC degradation.