Metal-free Biomass with Abundant Carbonyl Groups as Efficient Catalyst for the Activation of Peroxymonosulfate and Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole

Abstract In this study, we describe the use of biomass bacterial cellulose derived material (DCBC) with abundant surface carbonyl groups through the selective oxidation of C2-C3 in BC by NaIO4, as efficient metal-free catalyst for the activation of PMS. The DCBC/PMS system exhibits excellent degradation performance for target pollutant sulfamethoxazole (SMX) within 20 min. Quenching experiments and EPR results demonstrate that the SMX degradation via both nonradical (1O2) and radical (SO4·-/·OH) pathways with the nonradical pathway playing the major role. This mechanism was later confirmed by the product analysis of the SMX degradation. The catalytic performance and manufacturing cost of the DCBC catalyst was then systematically evaluated in comparison with other carbon materials including carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide. Our study implies a strong potential of the DCBC material as ideal metal-free catalyst, with many virtues of handy convenience, easy regeneration, satisfactory stability, and low cost, in PMS-AOPs in real water treatment.