Enhanced activation of peroxymonosulfte by LaFeO perovskite supported on AlO for degradation of organic pollutants.

In this study, the effect of various supports on activation of peroxymonosulfate and consequent degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solutions was examined at the presence of LaFeO perovskite as catalyst. Results showed that the AO7 degradation efficiency by LaFeO supported on different supports was in an order of LaFeO/AlO (86.2%) > LaFeO (70.8%) > LaFeO/CeO (59.0%) > LaFeO/SiO (52.3%) > LaFeO/TiO (32.2%). Moreover, the pseudo first-order rate constant for AO7 degradation by LaFeO/AlO was 3.2 times than that by LaFeO. The enhancement was attributed to its large surface area, abundant chemisorbed surface-active oxygen, redox property and faster electron transfer. AO7 degradation and the leaching of iron ions decreased with the increase of pH. Data of electron spin resonance spectroscopy and quenching experiments revealed that sulfate and hydroxyl radicals were generated on LaFeO/AlO surface, while sulfate radicals were identified to be the main reactive species responsible for AO7 degradation. Mechanisms for peroxymonosulfate activation were consequently proposed. Furthermore, LaFeO/AlO catalyst exhibited a superior stability after five cycles. This work provides a new approach for design of iron-based perovskite catalysts with high and stable catalytic activity for removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solutions.