Bimetal-organic framework-derived nanotube@cellulose aerogels for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derived powder catalysts are prone to agglomerate and difficult to recycle in water, thus resulting in their low utilization and secondary pollution in water treatment. Herein, a composite aerogel (CoFe0.8@NCNT@CA) loaded with bimetallic MOF-derived carbon nanotubes on cellulose aerogel was developed for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade tetracycline (TC). The CoFe0.8@NCNT@CA/PMS system exhibits an excellent TC removal rate (97.1 % TC removal within 20 min). The outstanding performance of the composite catalyst is closely related to the synergistic effect of bimetallic catalytic sites, graphitic N structure, and porous network. Interestingly, carbon nanotubes and cellulose in the composite catalyst form a semi-coated porous structure, which can effectively enhance the adhesion of carbon nanotubes and expose abundant active sites while ensuring mass transfer. This study provides a strategy for synthesizing novel composite aerogel with an excellent structure and physicochemical properties for water treatment. MOF-derived carbon nanotubes form a semi-encapsulated structure with the cellulose aerogel, catalytic metal sites are wrapped in carbon nanotubes. Tetracycline is degraded with CoFe0.8@NCNT@CA process through superoxide radical mechanism, hydroxyl radicals and sulfate radical co-oxidation mechanisms. [Display omitted]