A newly-integrated FeCo-layered double hydroxides photocatalytic system for UV-induced degradation of various heterocyclic amines against complex sample matrix

For several decades, toxic thermally processed hazards, represented by heterocyclic amines (HCAs), have gradually become a challenge in the field of purification owing to their increasing exposure, wide variety, and the complexity of the matrix. In this study, the first example of degradation-removal of HCAs was illustrated by using a newly-integrated Fe/Co co-doped layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) as photocatalysts based on sulfate radical advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs). Under the excitation of UV light, a FeCo-LDH/sodium persulfate (PS) photocatalytic degradation system combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS) was established. The synthesized photocatalysts were optimized by varying the Fe/Co ratio, and a series of photochemical activities and reaction conditions were investigated for a better performance. As a result, the FeCo-LDH/PS system was able to degrade 12 kinds of common HCAs efficiently and simultaneously, and was also well applicable in real edible oil samples with completely degraded. Moreover, it exhibited well reusability, preserving 97.75% of initial activity after being used for 5 cycles. It is the first application of photocatalytic combined with SR-AOPs technology for the degradation of HCAs and provides a promising example for the regulation of thermally processed hazards.