Core–shell ZIFs wrapped CuO hybrid materials (CuO@ZIF-67(Co)) were designed, synthesized, characterized, and employed as peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activators to degrade methylene blue (MB). It demonstrated outstanding catalytic activity on account of the unique structure and the synergistic effect between CuO cores and ZIF-67(Co) shells, resulting in complete degradation of MB (10 mg/L) in 1 min. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) research showed that both SO4 − and OH were responsible for the removal of MB. The synergistic activation mechanisms in the CuO@ZIF-67(Co)/PMS system were investigated, which mainly involved the effective electron transfer of CuO and ZIF-67(Co) for accelerating the cycle of CuII/ CuI and CoIII/ CoII. This study broadens the application of MOF-derived materials for wastewater treatment.

    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Reagents
        2.2 Preparation of CuO@ZIF-67(Co)
        2.3 Characterization
        2.4 Experimental procedure
        2.5 Analytical methods
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Characterization of materials
        3.2 Catalytic performance of as-derived catalysts
        3.3 Mechanism of PMS activation
    4 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Wenjun Zhu(Hubei Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion and New Carbon Material, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, Hubei Polytechnic University)
• Xiaohua Zuo(College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, Hubei Polytechnic University)
• Xiangyi Deng(College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, Hubei Polytechnic University)
• Xinhao Zhang(College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, Hubei Polytechnic University)
• Chuang Yao(Guangdong Wastewater Treatment Engineering Technology Center of Standard and Efficiency Increasing and Resource Recycling, Guagdong Research Institute of Engineering Technology Co., Ltd)
• Xiaobo Wang(College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, Hubei Polytechnic University, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology)