Quartz sand@PDA/Co-Mn-ZIF as efficient peroxymonosulfate activator for enhanced degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride in aqueous solutions

The QS@PDA/Co-Mn-ZIF catalyst, synthesized using quartz sand as a base material, effectively degrades TCH through the activation of PMS. The Co-Mn-ZIF component activates PMS, while PDA ensures the adhesion of ZIF to quartz, facilitating catalyst recovery. This design enhances electron transport and metal ion redox reactions, generating reactive species that degrade TCH. It achieves a 94 % TCH removal rate from a 100 mg/L solution within 40 min, demonstrating stability under various pH and water conditions. The catalytic mechanism was elucidated·through radical trapping experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. QS@PDA/Co-Mn-ZIF shows great potential for treating recalcitrant and high-concentration organic wastewater.