Spinel MnCo2O4 for peroxymonosulfate activation to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride

Abstract

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation technology is an important way to efficiently remove emerging contaminants. This study synthesizes an MnCo2O4 catalyst via a hydrothermal method to activate PMS for degrading tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The effects of hydrothermal reaction parameters and calcination temperature on the removal efficiency of TC were systematically investigated. The prepared MnCo2O4 achieved a high removal efficiency of TC (20 mg/L) within 40 min in a pH range of 5–9. Electron paramagnetic resonance and radical quenching experiments confirmed the critical role of SO4•−, O2˙−, and 1O2 in TC degradation. The diverse pollutants removal and five-cycle catalytic experiments demonstrated that the MnCo2O4 exhibited superior stability and adaptability. Additionally, the MnCo2O4 catalyst was prepared on the surface of a polymer membrane for a continuous flow-through device, which achieved a rapid and efficient removal of TC (≥ 90 % within 3 min). This study provided a new route for the synthesis of MnCo2O4 with high catalytic performance for TC removal during wastewater purification.