Novel LaCr substituted Mhexaferrite photocatalyst for decontamination of organic pollutants by peroxymonosulfate activation

Abstract Element engineering in Mhexaferrite system has been demonstrated as an effective technique to boost catalytic activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). This study aimed at catalytic activation of PMS under LED irradiation using a novel LaCr substituted Mhexaferrite photocatalyst (BLCF-NPs) for degradation of organic pollutants in water systems. The chemical and physical characteristics of BLCF catalysts, the effects of BLCF's heterogeneous catalyst, PMS, pH, and pollutant concentration on degradation performance, reusability and stability of BLCF-NPs were systematically investigated. Importantly, under LED illumination, the sample C3 activated PMS to degrade MO more efficiently (99.99% within 80 minutes) and stably than reported Mhexaferrite NPs, with a first-order-kinetic rate constant (k = 11.41 10-2 min−1). The PMS/LED/BLCF-NPs system was improved effectively in a wide pH range from 3 to 10. Radical quenching experiments demonstrated that SO4•- played a dominant role in MO degradation. This research paves the way for developing high-efficiency catalysts, as well as making Mhexaferrites viable options for pollutants removal.