Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes by three-dimensional electrochemical activation of peroxymonosulfate using Co3O4@BTO particles

The widespread occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water has posed severe risks to human health and the ecosystem. In this study, Co 3 O 4 @BTO was synthesized and employed as a particular electrode in a three-dimensional (3D) electro-activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process. The proposed system showed an obvious synergistic effect in ARGs elimination with lower energy consumption in comparison to the individual application of PMS, Co 3 O 4 @BTO or the electrochemical process. Approximately a 4.1-log reduction in ARGs can be achieved under the optimal operation conditions of 0.1 g/L Co 3 O 4 @BTO, 0.3 mM PMS and a current density of 9 mA/cm 2 . Due to the electrochemical activation and heterogeneous catalysis of Co 3 O 4 @BTO, the enhanced PMS activation efficiency was responsible for the effective elimination of ARGs. Based on quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis, the superoxide radical (· O 2 − ) played the dominant role in the elimination of ARGs, while other reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as S O 4 · − , · OH , and 1 O 2 were also involved. The system demonstrated a good practical application potential in ARG-contaminated water, providing an alternative approach for the control of ARGs dissemination.