Degradation of bisphenol A by peroxymonosulfate activated with MIL-88B(Fe) derived CC-Fe/C catalysts: Effect of annealing temperature, performance and mechanism

Fe0/Fe3C/Fe3O4 nanoparticles wrapped in graphite shells (CC-Fe/C) were synthesized via pyrolyzing MIL-88B(Fe) at 700, 800, and 900 °C. CC-Fe/C-800 prepared at 800 °C exhibited the best performance for activating peroxymonosulfate with complete removal of bisphenol A at 10 mg/L in 20 min, attributing to the synergistic effect of multiple active sites (Fe0, Fe3C, and Fe3O4) on its surface. Mechanism study suggested that SO4∙−, ∙OH, 1O2, and O2−∙ were involved in the degradation. Fe0 cores could act as cocatalysts to promote the regeneration of Fe2+, enhancing the catalytic activity. Finally, CC-Fe/C-800 showed good reusability and practicability. Fe0/Fe3C/Fe3O4 nanoparticles wrapped in graphitic carbon shells (CC-Fe/C) were synthesized as an enhanced heterogeneous catalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation. [Display omitted] •Coral-like core-shell structured catalysts with Fe0/Fe3C/Fe3O4 nanoparticles wrapped in carbon matrix were prepared via one-step pyrolysis.•The optimal annealing temperature (800 °C) led to forming of various Fe-based active sites including Fe0, Fe3C, and Fe3O4.•CC-Fe/C-800 exhibited high catalytic performance due to the enhanced regeneration of Fe2+ from Fe3+ by the Fe0 cores.•SO4∙− rather than HO∙, 1O2 and O2−∙ was verified as the dominant reactive oxygen species for BPA degradation.