Efficiency and Mechanism of Peroxymonosulfate Activation by MnaCo(1–a)Ox for BPAF Degradation

This study systematically evaluates the efficiency and mechanism of Mn–Co bimetallic oxides for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade bisphenol AF (BPAF). A series of spherical Mn a Co (1-a) O x catalysts were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. Among them, Mn 0.2 Co 0.8 O x exhibited the highest catalytic activity, outperforming other ratios. Under optimized conditions ([BPAF] = 5 mg/L, [PMS] = 0.2 mM, [Mn 0.2 Co 0.8 O x ] = 400 mg/L, pH = 7.85), the Mn 0.2 Co 0.8 O x /PMS system achieved 97.7% BPAF removal. Quenching tests and EPR spectroscopy confirmed SO 4 •⁻ and •OH as the predominant reactive oxygen species, with SO 4 •⁻ playing the dominant role. XPS and mechanism analysis indicated that the synergistic Co(III)/Co(II) and Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox cycles drive the efficient PMS activation and BPAF degradation.