Nanostructured Co-Mn containing perovskites for degradation of pollutants: Insight into the activity and stability

The efficient oxidative removal of persistent organic components in wastewater relies on low-cost heterogeneous catalysts that offer high catalytic activity, stability, and recyclability. Here, we designed a series of nanostructured Co-Mn containing perovskite catalysts, LaCo_1−xMn_xO_3+δ (LCM, x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0), with over-stoichiometric oxygen (δ > 0) to show superior catalytic activity for the degradation of a variety of persistent aqueous organic pollutants by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The nature of LCM for catalysis was comprehensively investigated. A “volcano-shaped” correlation was observed between the catalytic activity and electron filling (e_g) of Co in LCM. Among these compounds, LaCo_0.5Mn_0.5O_3+δ (LCM55) exhibited an excellent activity with e_g = 1.27. The high interstitial oxygen ion diffusion rate (D_O²⁻ = 1.58 ± 0.01 × 10⁻¹³ cm² s⁻¹) of LCM55 also contributes to its catalytic activity. The enhanced stability of LCM55 can be ascribed to its stronger relative acidity (3.22). Moreover, an increased solution pH (pH ≥ 7) generated a faster organic degradation rate and a decrease in metal leaching (0.004 mM) for LCM55 perovskite, justifying it as a potential material for environmental remediation.