Heterogeneous cobalt-doped CeO2 catalysts were successfully prepared via a simple hydrothermal-calcination strategy. The Co:Ce feed ratio was profoundly optimized. When the Co:Ce feed mole ratio was 2:8, the calcination temperature was 300 °C, and the calcination time was 2 h, the catalyst exhibited the best performance in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade rhodamine B (RhB), toluidine blue, methylene blue and diclofenac. The model pollutant of RhB was utilized to unravel the catalytic mechanisms. The degradation mechanism was identified with reactive oxygen species (ROSs) including hydroxyl radical, sulfate radical, and 1O2, whereas sulfate radical was demonstrated to be a crucial active species, with 1O2 and hydroxyl radical playing a synergistic role. N-de-ethylation was the main step for the decontamination of RhB. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrated the significance of Co decoration in adsorbing and activating PMS to generate abundant ROSs. It is refreshing that RhB could be removed entirely at a wide pH range of 3−9, and the fastest degradation could be accomplished within 2 min. Furthermore, cobalt leaching was successfully reduced (no more than 0.112 mg L−1 at pHs of 3−9), thus improving catalyst reusability and avoiding posing environmental risks. The performance of the catalyst was seldom affected by natural surface water and groundwater matrices, conferring broad application prospects to the heterogeneous catalyst in water purification.

Heterogeneous cobalt-doped CeO2 catalyst for the degradation of refractory organic contaminants: Unveiling the degradation performance and mechanism study

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