Recyclable CuO@CSs as highly efficient peroxymonosulfate activator for Rhodamine B degradation

A high stable and efficient catalyst of CuO@CSs (carbon silicion sphere@CuO) was prepared through in-situ growth methods. CuO@CSs as a heterojunction was conducive to activate PMS efficiently. 15 ppm of RhB was completely removed after 2 min with 0.5 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under UV–visible light irradiation. The reusability of catalyst was evaluated through recycling tests, and the RhB degradation efficiency ranged from 99.96% to 99.37% after five cycles. 1O2 and O2•−were detected by trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in the photocatalytic degradation, which have worked together in the removal of RhB. Furthermore, the CuO@CSs/PMS was applied to treat natural water containing RhB, which was completely decomposed within 8 min. The possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism for the RhB was investigated. The degradation pathway of RhB was deduced through LC-MS results, it was concluded that CuO@CSs was a recyclable catalyst to activate PMS and remove organic pollution. •CSs@CuO revealed perfect degradation efficiency, 15 ppm of RhB was completely degraded within 2 min with 0.5 mM PMS under UV–visible light irradiation.•CSs@CuO exhibited good reusability by recycling tests.•CSs@CuO displayed outstanding photocatalytic performance for removing RhB from raw water.