Phosphate-adsorbed metal organic framework as a recycled material for catalytic degradation of ceftriaxone sodium via peroxymonosulfate activation

In this study, the zirconium-based metal organic framework (Zr-MOF) was applied as the adsorbent for phosphorus (P) pollution in water. Then the phosphate-adsorbed metal organic frameworks (MOFs) were used as a recycled raw material and calcined to obtain P-doped MOFs-derived carbon material (ZrP@Zr-BTC). Next, the ZrP@Zr-BTC was used for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for the ceftriaxone sodium degradation. The doping of P species in the MOFs-derived carbon material led to a 31 % increase in the degradation rate compared to the material without P doping (ZrO₂@Zr-BTC). The characterization results confirmed that ZrP@Zr-BTC contained zirconium phosphate, ZrP and ZrO₂ in addition to inorganic carbon. P doping could affect the morphology of zirconium species and the bonding state of oxygen element in the catalyst. The degradation of ceftriaxone sodium by the ZrP@Zr-BTC/PMS system could reach 96 ± 0.82 %. The ZrP@Zr-BTC material also had strong resistance to water quality interference and reusability. The electron spin resonance spectrometer (ESR) analysis indicated singlet oxygen (¹O₂) played an important role and other free radicals (SO₄^-•, •OH, O₂^-•) were auxiliary. The Fukui function calculated by density functional theory explained the sites susceptible to attack by reactive species, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) results allowed for the inference of the degradation pathway of ceftriaxone sodium. This study not only provides a simple and effective method for the disposal and recycling of waste adsorbents but also offers valuable insights into the role of MOF-derived carbon in activating PMS for pollutant degradation.