A novel singlet oxygen involved peroxymonosulfate activation mechanism for degradation of ofloxacin and phenol in water.

This study proposed a new and previously unconsidered reaction mechanism in the activation of peroxymonosulfate. We report that singlet oxygen (1O2) rather than ˙OH or SO4˙- was the dominant reactive oxygen species towards the efficient degradation of ofloxacin and phenol, demonstrating a promising application in real wastewater treatment.