N-enriched covalent organic polymer derived nanoscale zero-valent iron for effective oxidative degradation of tetracycline

Considering the agglomeration and instability of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI, Fe 0 ), N-enriched covalent organic polymer derived zero-valent iron (NZVI@N-COP) composite with excellent activity, high stability and as well as effective antibiotic removal capacity was innovatively synthesized via solvent thermal and in-situ reduction growth methods. The dispersion of NZVI is distinctly improved by using N-enriched covalent organic polymer (N-COP) as both matrix and dispersant. NZVI@N-COP exhibits excellent electron transfer capability and high TC removal efficiency without additional oxidants. The removal efficiency of TC was increased by 42.4% compared with that of pristine NZVI. The promoted activity of NZVI@N-COP can be ascribed to the strong coordination of Fe with N atoms between NZVI and N-COP, which reduces oxidation and leakage of Fe, exposing more available reactive sites to produce reactive oxygen species . Additionally, Characterization results show that the reaction mechanism involves adsorption and chemical oxidation of O 2 •– without additional oxidants. Optimum operating conditions were determined to be NZVI@N-COP dosage 0.1 g·L −1 , pH 6, and temperature 298 K. This research put forward a simple method for synthesis of highly effective N-COP derived NZVI and its application in the treatment of antibiotic pollutants.