The efficient degradation of carbamazepine by Cu-Fe bimetallic composite carbon derived from the waste cation exchange resins: Mechanism, ecotoxicity, and continuous flow catalysis

[Display omitted] •CuFeO2@CR was prepared using the waste cation exchange resins as the carbon source.•91.3 % of CBZ (20 mg/L) was degraded under the optimum reaction parameters.•The relative contribution of SO4•-, •OH and 1O2 were 35%, 29%, and 36%.•DFT calculation indicated that CuFeO2@CR exhibited a preferential affinity to PMS.•The degradation process could effectively reduce the toxicity into non-toxic. The Cu-Fe bimetallic composite carbon (CuFeO2@CR) was synthesized by using the waste cation exchange resins as the carbon source to degrade carbamazepine (CBZ) by activating peroxymonulfate (PMS). Results found that 91.3 % of CBZ was degraded under the optimal condition ([PMS] = 0.2 g/L, [CuFeO2@CR] = 0.3 g/L, T = 25℃). CuFeO2@CR could efficiently degrade CBZ at pH 3.03–9.02 and maintain the degradation at 83.6 % in the fifth cycle. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) were SO4•−, •OH, and 1O2 with the relative contribution of 35 %, 29 %, and 36 %, respectively. DFT calculation demonstrated that CuFeO2@CR exhibited a preferential affinity for PMS and greater transfer electrons capacity than CR. Three reaction pathways were proposed in the CuFeO2@CR/PMS system, and the degradation could effectively reduce the toxicity into non-toxic. The continuous flow catalytic experiment indicated the promising application in the treatment of antibiotic wastewater. This work provides guidance and theoretical support for CBZ degradation mechanisms.