Multi-level FeCo/N-doped carbon nanosheet for peroxymonosulfate oxidation and sterilization inactivation.

Mechanism of PMS activation by the FeCo/CNS/PMS system. [Display omitted] • FeCo/CNS is synthesized through a facile impregnation and followed by a pyrolysis process. • FeCo/CNS effectively activates PMS to degrade organic pollutants (BPA and TC) and demonstrates notable efficacy in bacterial inactivation. • Potential intermediates were identified through a combination of LC-MS and theoretical computational analysis. Magnetic carbon-based catalysts with environmental friendliness have exhibited prominent effects on advanced oxidation processes. Herein, a multi-level FeCo/ N -doped carbon nanosheet (FeCo/CNS) was synthesized by facile impregnation iron-cobalt salt onto cotton and followed by confined pyrolysis. We identified excellent advantages of the modified FeCo/CNS materials: (i) The convenience of the synthesis method and (ii) The dual effect of sterilization and contaminant degradation achieved through the FeCo/CNS-activated Peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The comparative experimental showed that FeCo/CNS could provide favorable catalytic performance, completely removing bisphenol A (BPA) and tetracycline (TC) within 5 min. Moreover, the potent sterilization properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were also verified. Analysis of the degradation pathway confirmed the existence of intermediates, and toxicological research demonstrated that the toxicity of the degradation intermediates of BPA gradually decreased over time. Our research provided an excellent application of FeCo/CNS in PMS oxidation and sterilization inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]