Degradation of antibiotics amoxicillin by Co 3 O 4 ‐catalyzed peroxymonosulfate system

Sulfate radical‐based advanced oxidation processes (SR‐AOPs) are attracting considerable attention due to the high oxidizing ability of sulfate radical to degrade organic pollutants in aqueous environments. In this study, the degradation of antibiotics amoxicillin using SR‐AOPs was investigated. This process is based on the generation of sulfate radicals through Co 3 O 4 ‐mediated activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Several parameters affecting antibiotics degradation such as Co 3 O 4 , PMS, pH, and temperature were investigated. The optimal conditions were found to be as follows: oxone concentration 0.01 mol·L −1 , Co 3 O 4 dosage 0.06 g, pH 6.0, reaction temperature 60°C, and reaction time 45 min. Under these optimum conditions, it was found that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 91.01% was achieved. The effect of ultrasound in the Co 3 O 4 /PMS system for amoxicillin degradation was also studied.