Mechanism and process of sulfamethoxazole decomposition with persulfate activated by pulse dielectric barrier discharge plasma

•SMZ removal efficiency could improve from 73.0% to 87.2% with PS addition in pulse DBD system.•Imput power, pulse frequency, solution pH and liquid flow rate affect SMZ degrdation.•OH, e-, 1O2, ·O2– and ·SO- 4 participated in SMZ decomposition.•The decline of O3 and enhancement of ·OH and H2O2 were found after PS addition.•The overall toxicity was effectively weakened by pulse DBD plasma with PS treatment.