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Peroxymonosulfate‐based advanced oxidation processes (PMS‐AOPs) for in situ persistent organic pollutant (POP) remediation in aqueous solutions can be a promising technology. However, this technology is constrained by its high toxicity and cost of metal oxide and non‐metal catalysts for PMS activation. Here, we investigated the catalytic performance of a widely available natural mineral, manganese ore (MO), for PMS activation. A series of natural MO samples in an aqueous solution were prepared via the Fenton‐like reaction. The samples' crystalline structure, surface morphology, textural properties, and other surface characteristics of the selected MO were systematically characterized. The effects of PMS concentration and process parameters on the degradation performance of four chosen model pollutants, that is, phenol, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), rhodamine B (RhB), and methylene blue (MB), were evaluated. The experimental results showed that natural MO increased catalytic activity and enhanced the PMS oxidation processes, with 98%, 90%, and 75% removal efficiencies on phenol, TBBPA, and RhB, respectively, within 1.5 h. The reduction in the initial pH solution from 10 to 7 and the increase in temperature from 15 to 45°C enhanced the MB degradation rate (decolorization) by 55 and 46%, respectively, within 2 h. During the PMS activation process, SO4•−, •OH, and 1O2 species were generated, but only SO4•− and •OH radicals with strong oxidative potentials contributed to the catalytic degradation. The dissolved metals from the experiments were found well within the limit of drinking water standards, verifying that the MO + PMS catalytic system is suitable for commercial applications. This work provides insights into the development potential and prospects of using natural minerals for PMS activation and POP degradation, which can accelerate their industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the environmental hazards of red mud (RM) and realize its resource utilization, in this study, RM-based iron-carbon micro-electrolysis material (RM-MEM) were prepared by a carbothermal reduction process using RM as raw material. The influence of the preparation conditions on the phase transformation and structural characteristics of the RM-MEM were investigated during the reduction process. The ability of RM-MEM to remove organic pollutants from wastewater was evaluated. The results showed that RM-MEM prepared at a reduction temperature of 1100 °C, a reduction time of 50 min and a coal dosage of 50% had the best removal effect for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). When the initial MB concentration was 20 mg L−1, the amount of RM-MEM material was 4 g L−1, the initial pH was 7, and the degradation efficiency reached 99.75% after 60 min. When RM-MEM is split into carbon free and iron free parts for use, the degradation effect becomes worse. Compared to other materials, RM-MEM has lower cost and better degradation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that hematite was transformed to zero-valent iron with the increase in the roasting temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that micron-sized ZVI particles were formed in the RM-MEM, and increasing the carbon thermal reduction temperature was beneficial to the growth of zero-valent iron particles. [Display omitted] • Waste-derived iron carbon micro-electrocatalyst by carbon thermal reduction method. • Iron carbon micro-electrocatalyst shows high efficiency in the degradation of MB. • Iron carbon micro-electrocatalyst shows the potential for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) photocatalytic materials were prepared by one-step calcination method to degrade methylene blue (MB) and potassium butyl xanthate (PBX) under visible light irradiation. The prepared g-C 3 N 4 photocatalytic materials were investigated in detail by various characterizations, and the experiments showed that the graphitic phase carbon nitride photocatalytic materials were successfully prepared by the one-step calcination method. The material possesses excellent optical properties and strong visible light absorption, thus achieving photocatalytic degradation of MB and PBX. The catalyst dosage, pH, the initial concentration of pollutants have important effects on photocatalytic activity of MB and PBX. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency was 98.99% for MB and 96.83% for PBX under the optimal conditions (catalyst dosage, initial pollutant concentration and pH value were 500 mg L−1, 20 mg L−1 and 7, respevtively). The photocatalytic mechanisms on MB and PBX were elucidated. ·OH was the key specie for MB, while ·O 2 − was the key specie for PBX. This study advances the development of photocatalytic technology for mineral wastewater. [Display omitted] • g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst was prepared by pyrolysis. • The separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs lead to high efficiency. • Superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals are the main reactive groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]