This work presents a novel CuS/percarbonate/tetraacetylethylenediamine (CuS/SPC/TAED) process for the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT). Results indicated that the CuS/SPC/TAED process enabled the efficient generation of peracetic acid (PAA), which can be efficiently activated by CuS in alkaline reaction media, and 93.6% of SMT was degraded in 30 min. Identification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) tests showed that the available ROS including hydroxyl radical (•OH), carbonate radical (CO3•−), superoxide radical (O2•−), singlet oxygen (1O2), and organic radicals (R−O•, acetyloxyl radical (CH3CO2•) and acetylperoxyl radical (CH3CO3•)). Among them, CH3CO2• was confirmed to be the primary one that contributed to SMT degradation. The promoted redox cycles of surface bond Cu species originated from the generated O2•−, reductive sulfur species, and the organic radical intermediates (R•) derived from the contaminant, which favored the efficient activation of PAA. Simultaneously, the effects of key impacting factors including SPC/TAED mole ratio, CuS dosage, initial pH, temperature, and nontarget matrix constituents on SMT degradation were examined. It was uncovered that the developed oxidation process showed attractive features in pH tolerance (3.0−9.0), catalytic stability, and feasibility of practical application. Additionally, the degradation intermediates of SMT was identified, and the toxicity of these products was estimated by quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Overall, this work offers a new and simple strategy for antibiotic-polluted water remediation
