BiVO4 modifying with cobalt-phosphate cluster cocatalyst for persulfate assisted photoelectrocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

•Carriers’ dynamics evaluation including SPV and TPV showed prolonged lifespan of carriers.•SO4− produced by the activation of PMS played an important auxiliary role in tetracycline degradation.•Oxygen vacancies boosted the charge separation efficiency of bivo4/Co-Pi photoanode.•BiVO4/Co-Pi photoanode increased the adsorption and activation sites of tetracycline molecules.