Fe3O4 nanoparticles three-dimensional electro-peroxydisulfate for improving tetracycline degradation

In this work, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle employed as the three-dimensional electrode, were introduced into the electro-oxidation system with peroxydisulfate to improve the tetracycline (TC) degradation. The coprecipitation method prepared Fe 3 O 4 was proved to be the irregular sphere-like form through the characterizations of XRD , SEM, N 2 adsorption isotherms , and XPS . By the contrast experiments, the EO-Fe 3 O 4 -PDS exhibited the outstanding TC degradation capability, which achieved 86.53% after 60 min treatment with current intensity of 20 mA cm −2 , Fe 3 O 4 dose of 0.2 g L −1 , PDS amount of 2 mmol L −1 , initial pH 4.5, and TC concentration of 25 mg L −1 . Besides, the influence of current intensity, Fe 3 O 4 dosage, PDS concentration, and beginning pH on the TC degradation was investigated systemically. The consecutive five recycles of Fe 3 O 4 demonstrated that a favorable stability for the coupling process. The EO-Fe 3 O 4 -PDS could improve the PDS decomposition and H 2 O 2 production. The sulfate and hydroxyl radicals both took charge of the antibiotic degradation as certified by scavenger test. The TC degradation evolution was presented based on the HPLC-MS analyses of degradation byproducts.