• • Optimal dewatering conditions: MFB dosage 132.99 mg/g DS, PMS dosage 421.80 mg/g DS, reaction time 18 min, achieving Wc 45.8% and TOC 489.2 mg/L, representing a significant improvement over conventional methods (e.g., Fe2+/sludge carbon-activated persulfate achieved Wc 71.2%).
• • Radical contribution order: SO4−· (29.05%), ·OH (17.2%), and 1O2 (5.8%) to sludge dewatering, indicating sulfate radicals as the dominant reactive species in EPS disintegration.
• • Protein reduction: Total protein content decreased from 174.6 mg/L to 75.7 mg/L (56.6% reduction), with TB-EPS protein reduced from 91.8 mg/L to 36.3 mg/L (60.5% reduction), directly attacking the hydrophilic core of sludge flocs.
• • EPS layer destruction: S-EPS, LB-EPS, and TB-EPS contents decreased by 50.68%, 42.63%, and 53.06%, respectively, demonstrating comprehensive EPS breakdown and release of bound water.