Electrochemical activation of peroxydisulfate for tetracycline degradation using the PCN-224(Fe)@PIL(Cl−) System

In this work, PCN-224(Fe) porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks and a Poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) were used to prepare PCN-224(Fe)@PIL(Cl − ) composite films by UV polymerisation. The structure, morphology, chemical composition, and electrochemical properties of the as-prepared composite film were investigated. PCN-224(Fe) was coated with a kind of P(1-vinylpyridinium chloride as monomer) on the outside to improve the electron transfer efficiency, while an electrochemical system was employed to catalysis the persulfate (PS) decomposition for the efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC). Because of the cathodic reduction reaction, the continuous redox cycle between Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ was facilitated, which enhanced the degradation activity of persulfate on tetracycline. The PCN-224(Fe)@PIL(Cl − ) composite demonstrated a superior electrocatalytic degradation efficiency of 95.8% in just 40 min for the TC model pollutant, surpassing the 63.3% efficiency of pure PCN-224(Fe) within 60 min. This work shows a successful example of using PILs to enhance catalytic degradation activity and points out a direction of preparation of catalysts for activating persulfate (PS).