Transforming diapers into inorganic carbonate enriched Carbon catalyst for improved trimethoprim degradation performance

Waste-derived carbon materials are gaining popularity in persulfate/peroxymonosulfate activated water remediation process. In the present study, a carbon catalyst was prepared from baby diaper through simple pyrolysis step, and its catalytic activity was assessed through PMS activated trimethoprim (TMP) degradation. X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic characterization results revealed that the synthesized carbon material is complemented with sodium carbonate inorganic salt. The catalyst derived from diaper exhibits two important characteristics that make it practically applicable. Firstly, it has a high efficiency for removing TMP, and secondly, it maintains an ecological pH (7.5) level even after undergoing oxidation. Electron spin resonance and scavenging studies showed singlet oxygen was the predominant reactive oxygen species in the system. As a result, the system exhibited high tolerance to commonly found inorganic anions in the water bodies. These features make the diaper derived carbon catalysts a promising candidate for the degradation of TMP from wastewater, also providing an alternative solution for mitigating pollution of diapers in landfills. We reported a cost-effective approach for fabricating carbon-based PMS activation catalyst using diaper waste that is endowed with essential inorganic carbonate salt. This catalyst facilitated the efficient removal of TMP and enabled the attainment of pH levels that meet ecological standards. [Display omitted] •Carbonate (CO32−) enriched carbon catalyst was prepared from diapers.•Catalyst with necessary inorganic carbonate induced TMP degradation activity.•The material has a potential to maintain ecological pH (6.0–8.0) after oxidation.•TMP degradation is mainly triggered by 1O2 in the system.