Co@C Nanocatalyst: Enhanced Activation of Peroxymonosulfate for Paracetamol Degradation.

A core–shell Co@C composite catalyst was prepared, characterized and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of paracetamol in water. Hybridized structures containing Co and graphitized carbon act as independent active sites for PMS activation initiating both radical and nonradical oxidation. A 91.57% paracetamol removal was reached in the Co@C/PMS system at 60 min. Radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests show that nonradical 1O2 played predominant roles in the advanced oxidation process, while the other three radicals ⋅O2−, •OH and SO4•. also played a certain role in paracetamol degradation. After four cycles, the degradation could still reach 70%, which proves that the Co@C composite catalyst exhibits good stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]