Renewable and robust biomass waste-derived Co-doped carbon aerogels for PMS activation: Catalytic mechanisms and phytotoxicity assessment

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Sep 1:220:112381. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112381. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Abstract

Developing monolithic carbon-based catalyst with low cost, easy separation and high performance to degrade pollutants via PMS activation is crucial. In this work, a series of novel monolithic Me-CA catalysts based on biomass derived carbon aerogel were prepared by hydrothermal method using waste watermelon peel as raw material. Co-CA catalyst showed excellent performance to activate PMS for 2, 4-DCP degradation in different temperature and different water matrices. Different pollutants, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), bisphenol A (BPA), and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) could also be removed in the Co-CA/PMS system. As expected, Co-CA could be easily separated from degraded solution, and show high stability and reusability for PMS activation with a lower cobalt leaching. Based on the results of the quenching tests, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, Chronoamperometric test (i-t curves) and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the PMS activation mechanism was proposed. The phytotoxicity assessment determined by germination situation of mung bean indicated that PMS activation could eliminate the hazards of 2, 4-D. Therefore, this study provides a low cost, efficient and environmental-friendly monolithic biomass carbon aerogel catalyst for different pollutants degradation, which further advances monolithic catalyst for practical wastewater treatment.

Keywords: 2, 4-Dichlorophenol degradation; Carbon aerogel; Monolithic catalyst; PMS activation; Phytotoxicity assessment.

MeSH terms

  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / chemistry
  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / toxicity
  • Biomass
  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Cobalt / chemistry*
  • Environmental Pollutants / chemistry
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Peroxides / chemistry*
  • Refuse Disposal
  • Vigna / drug effects

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Peroxides
  • peroxymonosulfate
  • 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
  • Cobalt
  • Carbon