Enhanced Peroxymonosulfate Activation via MnCo₂O₄/rGO with Near‐Infrared Photothermal Effect for Antibiotics Degradation

Antibiotic pollutants, as a kind of persistent organic pollutants, have a non‐negligible impact on water environment and human health. The photothermal Fenton‐like process under near‐infrared irradiation is emerging as a promising advanced oxidations technology. On the basis of Co‐based catalysts, this work designs and prepares an environmental Fenton‐like catalyst with strong photothermal effects and excellent activation ability for peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The novel photothermal catalyst, MnCo 2 O 4 /rGO, combines MnCo 2 O 4 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets, which offers large specific surface area and enhances electron transfer capability. The incorporation of rGO greatly improves the near‐infrared absorption and photothermal conversion ability of MnCo 2 O 4 /rGO, resulting in a significant increase in the system temperature. This enhanced photothermal effect realizes the synergy of thermal effect and catalytic activation, leading to the efficient activation of PMS for antibiotic degradation (with a degradation efficiency of up to 99% within 15 min). In addition, MnCo 2 O 4 /rGO is characterized by satisfactory stability and great adaptability across a wide range of complex water matrics. In summary, the MnCo 2 O 4 /rGO catalyst, with its enhanced photothermal effect, offers a highly efficient and versatile approach for the degradation of antibiotic pollutants in water, making it a promising solution for advanced water treatment.