Metal organic framework-derived CoMn₂O₄ catalyst for heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate and sulfanilamide degradation

Spinel-type CoMn₂O₄ materials are promising catalyst for heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), but the catalytic activity still need considerable improvements for practical environmental application and the underlying Co-Mn synergy is unclear. In this work, we synthesized CoMn₂O₄ microplates by using CoMn₂-perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (ptcda) metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as the precursor. The resulting material showed significantly higher catalytic activity for the PMS activation and sulfanilamide (SA) degradation than the CoMn₂O₄ obtained by conventional solvothermal synthesis methods, due to its much higher specific surface area and abundant surface hydroxyl groups as the active sites. In addition, the Co-Mn synergy in the synthesized material for the efficient heterogeneous catalysis was elucidated. The catalyst stability was also evaluated. Our work may lay the foundation for optimized design of highly-efficient heterogeneous catalyst for environmental application.