Abstract
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We are developing new methods and catalysts for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in treating various kinds of antibiotics and other organic matters in the wastewater stream. Herein we expand on transition metal borates as a potent single-component, highly effective and non-toxic photocatalyst in activating hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and potassium monopersulfate (PMS) for the degradation of organic pollutants under simulated solar light irradiation. Inspired by the strong redox characteristics of PMS, the high electrical potential of cobalt, and the peculiar electrocatalytic activity of metal borates, we investigated the photocatalytic activity of Co<sub>2</sub>B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> in AOPs to produce SO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup></span></span><sup><span lang="ZH-TW" style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"PMingLiU",serif">˙</span></span></sup><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">. Co<sub>2</sub>B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> was prepared via simple thermal annealing of a mixture of cobalt acetate tetrahydrate and boric acid at 800°C for 12 hrs. Under neutral pH conditions, we found that the catalyst is effective in activating PMS in the degradation of the 50 ppm tetracycline (TC) under the simulated solar radiation, a model compound for antibiotics</span></span></p>