Fig. 2: Efficient and self-pH-stable Fenton-like decontamination.

a Degradation rates of SMX with different reaction systems (inset: the molecular model of SMX). b The corresponding reaction rate constants in different reaction systems (Conditions: [Catal.]₀ = 0.1 g L⁻¹, [PMS]₀ = 0.5 mM, [pH]₀ = 6.3, [SMX]₀ = 10 mg L⁻¹, [Temp.] = 20 ± 2 °C). Degradation kinetics data were fitted using a first-order equation. c Comparison of degradation efficiencies and reaction rate constants of ZnO and Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO. d Comparison of various parameters of ZnO and Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO. e Comparison of PMS utilization efficiencies of ZnO and Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO (inset: utilization of PMS for five consecutive reactions). f Removal of multiple pollutants by Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS reaction system. g Comparison of k-values for SMX removal with reported materials. h Leakage of Co and Zn ions after Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS system reaction. i Evaluation of SMX removal using Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS system with ten cycles. j Variation of pH value of Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS reaction system under different initial pH conditions. k Degradation efficiency of SMX by Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS system at different initial pH. l Effect of background ions on Co_SA/Zn.O-ZnO/PMS reaction system. The error bars represent the standard deviation of three replicate tests.