Co/N co-doped carbonized wood sponge with 3D porous framework for efficient peroxymonosulfate activation: Performance and internal mechanism

Renewable wood sponge with lamellar structure, compressibility and three-dimensional porous frameworks exhibits excellent functionalization application potential in various fields. Herein, cobalt and nitrogen (Co/N) co-doped carbonized wood sponge (CoNCWS800) was prepared successfully for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The CoNCWS800 material exhibited admirable catalytic activity in PMS activation to oxidize SMX molecules (99.7% within 60 min). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis, quenching tests and electrochemical experiments confirmed the existence of both radical (SO4·−,·OH and O2·−) and non-radical (1O2 and direct charge transfer) pathways during the SMX degradation process. Co species were verified as major contributors for the generation of multiple radicals via activating PMS. Surface defective structure and ketonic CO groups performed the positive linear correlation with reaction kinetic constants, revealing the critical role of the two active sites in PMS activation via non-radical process. This study provides a unique insight in PMS activation mechanism via both radical and non-radical pathways of wood sponge-based functional materials. [Display omitted] •3D porous wood sponge was utilized to prepare CoNCWS catalyst for PMS activation.•Remarkable sulfamethoxazole degradation was achieved in the CoNCWS800/PMS system.•Defects and ketonic CO site contributed to non-radical pathway in PMS system.•Singlet oxygen and CoNCWS800/PMS complexes were critical active species.