CoFe2O4 nanoparticles assembled on natural sepiolite fibers as peroxymonosulfate catalyst for efficient norfloxacin degradation

•CoFe2O4/sepiolite catalyst was successfully synthesized via the two-step method.•CoFe2O4/sepiolite/PMS system exhibited the outstanding NOR degradation performance.•SO4•− and 1O2 were the main active species in NOR degradation reaction process. In this work, CoFe2O4/Sepiolite catalysts were successfully synthesized via a water bath-calcination method. The composite performed greatly enhanced norfloxacin (NOR) degradation activity by activating PMS, and the reaction rate constant was about 6.31 times higher than that of bare CoFe2O4. This was mainly attributed to the introduction of sepiolite support leading to higher adsorption capacity, more exposed reaction active sites due to the formation of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with smaller grain size. The EPR and quenching experiments indicated that SO4•− and 1O2 were the main major contributors for NOR degradation. The redox cycle of Co2+/Co3+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ were mainly responsible for the continuous generation of reaction active species thereby achieving the efficient NOR degradation. Moreover, the enhanced catalytic mechanisms and NOR degradation pathways in CoFe2O4/Sepiolite/PMS system were further proposed. Overall, this study provides a new insight for the rational design of mineral-based PMS catalysts for efficient wastewater treatment. [Display omitted]