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A heterogeneous photocatalyst, TiO₂-functionalized magnetic activated carbon (T@MPAC), was fabricated as a novel peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator for improving the oxidative degradation of benzotriazole (BTA) in aqueous media. For characterization of the features of the synthesized catalyst, XRD, FESEM, EDS, BET, TEM, PL and UV-vis DRS techniques were applied. Influence of operating parameters namely solution pH, reaction time and catalyst dosages, PMS and BTA was studied in a batch environment. A plausible oxidation mechanism and reaction pathway for BTA degradation was proposed. Potential catalytic, recyclability, durability and quenching studies were performed. The catalytic activity of T@MPAC in the activation of different oxidants also evaluated. Under optimized conditions, the degradation and mineralization rates of BTA were found to be 71.6 and 38.7%, respectively, after the fifth cycles …