Efficient degradation of sulfamethoxazole using unactivated and biochar-activated peroxymonosulfate: Mechanisms and performance comparison

Water Cycle 2026 Open access

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Authors: Xuhao Liu, Xiaoya Gao, Bingheng Liang, Qingcun Gu, Teng Guo, Jiatian Wang, Xingxin Yang
DOI: 10.1016/j.watcyc.2026.01.003
Cited by: 2
References: 64

Abstract

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes are widely used in environmental purification. But the intrinsic oxidizing properties of unactivated PMS are often overlooked in pollutant degradation. This study comparatively investigated sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation in both unactivated PMS and biochar (KS800)-activated PMS systems. Biochar-activated PMS exhibited SMX concentration-dependent degradation (1-10 mg/L), which was not obvious in unactivated PMS. Biochar activation significantly reduced the required PMS dosage from 4 to 0.5 mM for effective SMX degradation (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced oxidation water treatment Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts Pesticide and Herbicide Environmental Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Water Cycle
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
7
Pages
326–337
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN