Synergism between peroxymonosulfate and LaCoO3-TiO2 photocatalysis for oxidation of herbicides. Operational variables and catalyst characterization assessment Rodríguez Solís, Rafael Rivas, F. Javier Gimeno, Olga Pérez Bote, José Luis Photocatalysis Advanced oxidation Environmental remediation Heterogeneous catalysis Decontamination Authors thank economic support received from Junta de Extremadura, CICYT of Spain and FEDER funds through Projects GR15033 and CTQ2015/64944-R, respectively. Mr Rafael Rodríguez Solís also acknowledges Gobierno de Extremadura, Consejería de Empleo Empresa e Innovación, and FSE Funds for his PhD grant (PD12058). Catalyst characterization was provided by Facility of Analysis and Characterization of Solids and Surfaces of SAIUEx (financed by University of Extremadura, Junta de Extremadura, MICINN, FEDER and FSE). BACKGROUND. This paper reports the use of novel coupled LaCoO3-TiO2 as photocatalyst with double route of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. First, as a photocatalyst due to titania; and second, through PMS heterogeneous decomposition onto LaCoO3 particles. Thus, photocatalytical activity was tested for removing a mixture of four herbicides of different recalcitrance (metazachlor, tembotrione, tritosulfuron and ethofumesate). RESULTS. The presence of light and PMS highly enhanced herbicides removal rate: 3.5–5 times increases were obtained with UVA light. Oxidant concentration, catalyst load, pH and temperature were assessed. Herbicides were completely oxidized depending on their recalcitrant nature and the operational variables. 55% TOC conversion was reached using Oxone® 5 × 10−4 mol L−1. Phytotoxicity assays denoted no inhibition after 180 min of photocatalytic treatment (∼80% initial inhibition). Solid properties of Co/Ti = 0.1:1 ratio were studied by means of SEM (LaCoO3 aggregates linked to a variety of shapes and sizes of TiO2), XRF (6.1% of LaCoO3), XPS (superficial Co3+, La3+ and Ti4+), XRD (anatase, rutile and rhombohedral LaCoO3) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance (visible range absorption and bandgap of 2.88 eV for TiO2). CONCLUSION. Catalysts based on LaCoO3-TiO2 combined with peroxymonosulfate seem to be suitable for removing organic pollutants, with a moderate conversion of TOC and elimination of toxicity. 2024-01-10T10:32:33Z 2024-01-10T10:32:33Z 2016 journal article Published version: Rodríguez Solís, R. et al. Synergism between peroxymonosulfate and LaCoO3-TiO2 photocatalysis for oxidation of herbicides. Operational variables and catalyst characterization assessment. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 92(8), 2017, 2159-2170. [https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5228] https://hdl.handle.net/10481/86680 10.1002/jctb.5228 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ open access Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional