Claimed herein is a method of applying amorphous Co—SiOx to activate PMS and produce SO4·− due to the formation of Co(II)-Ov, pairs via the substitution of Si by Co. The inherent Co significantly change the electronic structure of O and Si atoms in the Co—SiOx via final state effects and increase the conductivity in terms of more effective electron transfers. The claimed method using Co—SiOx functions as a more effective oxidative catalyst for the faster degradation of pollutants. The simplicity of the synthetic procedures indicates that the conductive Co—SiOx could be used for the activation of PMS and other electrochemical applications on a wider scale.