Singlet oxygen produced SrCoO2.5 in environmental protection: extraordinary electronic properties and promoted catalytic performance

Abstract

Environmental protection treatment process relies on the robustness, durability, and performance of catalysts to drive the development of cutting-edge sustainable technologies for the elimination of refractory contaminants. Herein, prepared SrCoO2.5 were successfully prepared through citric acid by sol-gel method, and further utilized as super catalysts to degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) by coupling with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in environmental protection. Three optimized parameters (SrCoO2.5 dosage of 0.2\u2009g\u2009L−1, PMS concentration of 0.93\u2009g\u2009L−1, and initial pH of 2) were obtained via Conditional test method in environmental protection. Benefiting from the larger specific surface area, pore-volume, and existence of abundant hydroxyl groups, SrCoO2.5 prepared through citric acid by sol-gel method with more available active sites exhibited an super efficiency of 99.4% toward catalytic degradation of RhB within 10\u2009min under the optimal conditions. Moreover, SrCoO2.5 demonstrated durability and long-term stability even during the seven consecutive cycle, it almost regenerates in 500\u2009°C for 1\u2009h. The scavenging experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance technologies revealed that non-radical singlet oxygen (1O2), sulfate radicals(SO4•−) were associated as active species in the SrCoO2.5/PMS system. Besides, the reaction mechanism on the SrCoO2.5 degradation pathways toward RhB was speculated under PMS activation. The results indicated that the synergistic effects between Co–Sr structures not only significantly boosted the removal efficiency and long-term stability of SrCoO2.5. But also facilitated the redox cycles of Co3+/Co2+ and Sr3+/Sr2+, which produce 1O2. This proof-of-concept approach to develop such high-efficient Co–Sr structures produced Co3+/Co2+ and Sr3+/Sr2+ will open up novel avenues for wastewater decontamination via PMS activation. SrCoO2.5 materials for environmental protection industry are rarely reported. Such a meaningful applying strategy that involves the SrCoO2.5 materials for environmental protection industry, as far as we know, has not been reported to activate PMS for remediating RhB in wastewater. Furthermore, the detailed mechanistic study also requires an in-depth discussion. SrCoO2.5 materials produce 1O2 was reported. Synthesis of SrCoO2.5 with citric acid as the precursor was reported. Regeneration of SrCoO2.5 materials was reported. SrCoO2.5 materials for environmental protection industry are rarely reported. Such a meaningful applying strategy that involves the SrCoO2.5 materials for environmental protection industry, as far as we know, has not been reported to activate PMS for remediating RhB in wastewater. Furthermore, the detailed mechanistic study also requires an in-depth discussion. SrCoO2.5 materials produce 1O2 was reported. Synthesis of SrCoO2.5 with citric acid as the precursor was reported. Regeneration of SrCoO2.5 materials was reported.