Cellulose derived carbon nanofiber: A promising biochar support to enhance the catalytic performance of CoFe2O4 in activating peroxymonosulfate for recycled dimethyl phthalate degradation

We prepared carbon nanofiber (CCNF) using cellulose as the carbon source in this study and utilized for the first time as the support to enhance the catalytic performance of the cobalt ferrite (CoFe 2 O 4 ) for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The catalytic capability of the CoFe 2 O 4 /CCNF nanocomposites activated PMS was investigated through degrading dimethyl phthalate (DMP), a classical organic pesticide pollutant, in water media. The influence factors like CCNF content, nanocomposite and PMS dosage, DMP content, and pH value on the degradation speed were systematically investigated and analyzed. Since CoFe 2 O 4 is a spinel structured molecule which is magnetically separable, the reusability of the prepared CoFe 2 O 4 /CCNF nanocomposites under multiple cycles was also tested. Besides, the degradation intermediates during the catalytic process were also analyzed and identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with a possible degradation mechanism. The results indicated that the prepared nanocomposite had promising catalytic capability in degrading DMP, in which the SO 4 − radicals played the main role as the active oxidation agent. Furthermore, the CoFe 2 O 4 /CCNF nanocomposites exhibited very good stability and reusability. The present study provides a clean biochar supported catalyst which could readily enhance the PMS activation efficiency for recycled decontamination of refractory organic pollutants in water media.