In-situ preparation of N-rich nano-activated carbon on negative-charged montmorillonite with enhanced activation of peroxymonosulfate for antibiotics degradation.

N-rich nano-activated carbon/montmorillonite nanosheet with high ability for PMS activation and TC degradation was prepared via in-situ polymerization of ANI and calcination, creating open access for PMS to react with the fully exposed active sites. The prepared catalyst exhibited comparable catalytic ability to metal-based catalysts, achieving 86% degradation of TC (40 mg/L) in just 10 min using 0.3 g/L catalyzer and 0.3 g/L PMS. The degradation rate of TC reached 0.35 min⁻¹, which was higher than that of most catalyst. The reason was attributed to the abundant active sites of graphitic N, pyridinic N, pyrrolic N, nitric oxide, and defects, improving the charge distribution and electron transfer of catalyst, and promoting the self-decomposition of PMS into the radical (•OH, •SO 4 ⁻) and non-radical (¹O 2 , predominant) species for TC degradation. Such catalyzer provided a novel design of metal-free catalysts with significant improvements, achieving the efficient bio-safety disposal of antibiotics from wastewater. [Display omitted] • N-rich metal-free catalysts with fully exposed active sites is synthesized. • Radical and non-radical species are both generated. • Rapid degradation of TC is achieved using small amount catalyzer and PMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]