Efficient peroxymonosulfate activation by CTAB-modified α-FeOOH/kaolinite for the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene

This study aimed to explore the catalytic performance of CTAB-modified alpha-FeOOH/kaolinite material (Ca-FeOOH/K) and investigate the energetic effect of kaolinite on the structure of synthesized composite. The highly efficient C-alpha-FeOOH/K catalyst was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method and its efficiency in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]p) was evaluated. It was found that the C-alpha-FeOOH/K material exhibited excellent performance to activate PMS for B[a]p degradation with 91 % removal percentage within 15 min. Meanwhile, the removal percentage of B[a]p by the C-alpha-FeOOH/K/PMS system was 1.35 and 1.73 times higher than that of the C-alpha-FeOOH/PMS and alpha-FeOOH/PMS system, respectively. Furthermore, (OH-)-O-center dot, SO4 center dot-, O-2(center dot-) and O-1(2) were detected through radical quenching experiments and electron spin experiments (EPR). Finally, potential degradation pathways of B[a]p were inferred based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This research not only broadens the application of non-metallic minerals in environmental remediation, but also provides novel insights into the degradation mechanism of B [a]p and wastewater treatment.