Switch PMS activation pathway from free radical to non-radical by introducing hexagonal boron nitride in supported CoFe2O4: The role of lattice oxygen and PMS adsorption

Three supported spinel cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) catalysts were synthesized and applied in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for antibiotics degradation. The introduction of boron nitrogen as the support accelerated the transformation from classic free radical oxidation process (·OH and SO4·−) to non- radical oxidation process (1O2) compared with CoFe2O4/bulk carbon nitride (BCN), CoFe2O4/activated carbon (AC), CoFe2O4 and boron nitrogen (BN). Unlike CoFe2O4/BCN and CoFe2O4/AC, the resulting CoFe2O4/BN with strong metal oxide-support interaction improved the content of lattice oxygen and PMS adsorption performance, accelerating the generation of 1O2 and the decrease in energy barrier of PMS activation. The kinetic constant of 5-CoFe2O4/BN was 2.66, 2.0 and 3.7 times higher than that of pure CoFe2O4, 5-CoFe2O4/BCN and 5-CoFe2O4/AC, respectively. [Display omitted] •The support regulated surface and reactive oxygen species, affecting catalytic performance.•The kinetic constant of 5-CoFe2O4/BN was higher than that of 5-CoFe2O4/BCN and 5-CoFe2O4/AC.•Support modifications enhanced OL and PMS adsorption, shifting from radical to non-radical.•The lower ΔEa of 5- CoFe2O4/BN in PMS activation sped up OH* transformation to 1O2.