The two-stage removal process of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solutions using a novel photocatalyst based on nano-zero-valent iron (NZVI), g-C3N4 and expanded graphite by carbon layer (EGC) is reported for the first time. The composite (NZVI/g-C3N4@EGC) exhibits remarkable adsorption, reduction ability and visible light activity over the reaction course. Compared with pristine g-C3N4 (25.9%) and pure NZVI (45.9%), NZVI/g-C3N4@EGC achieves high degradation efficiency of TC (98.5%) due to the formation of a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system. This study shows that synergistic effects are achieved in the reaction system, including maintaining the reduction ability of NZVI and enhancing the photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4 by facilitating the separation of photogenerated electrons (e−) and holes (h+). TC removal involved a two-stage process of adsorption–reduction and photo-degradation. The quencher experiments determined that holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (˙O2−) are the major reactive species in the degradation of TC. The degradation pathways of TC were proposed based on the analysis of the intermediates. In addition, NZVI/g-C3N4@EGC revealed a high stability in a five-cycle test and good magnetic properties for facile separation from aqueous solutions. From an application viewpoint, NZVI/g-C3N4@EGC has favorable prospects in the direction of the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic wastewater.
Shengnan Li,Mingsi Gao,Heng Dong,Yuxin Jiang,Wanting Liang,Jiwei Jiang,Shih-Hsin Ho,Fengxiang Li
The misuse of antibiotics has increased the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), considered a class of critical environmental contaminants due to their ubiquitous and persistent nature. Previous studies reported the potentiality of bio-electro-Fenton processes for antibiotic removal and ARGs control. However, the production and fate of ARGs in bio-electro-Fenton processes triggered by microbial fuel cells are rare. In this study, the norfloxacin (NFLX) average residual concentrations within two days were 2.02, 6.07 and 14.84 mg/L, and the average removal efficiency of NFLX was 79.8 %, 69.6 % and 62.9 % at the initial antibiotic concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 mg/L, respectively. The most prevalent resistance gene type in all processes was the fluoroquinolone antibiotic gene. Furthermore, Proteobacteria was the dominant ARG-carrying bacteria. Overall, this study can provide theoretical support for the efficient treatment of high antibiotics-contained wastewater by bio-electro-Fenton systems to better control ARGs from the perspective of ecological security.
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