High stable photo-Fenton-like catalyst of FeP/Fe single atom-graphene oxide for long-term antibiotic tetracycline removal

The Fenton-like reaction has always suffered from the disadvantages of narrow pH and poor stability. Herein, a Fenton-like catalyst with dual-photo-functional sites of iron phosphide (FeP) and Fe single atom-graphene oxide (Fe1-GO) nanocomposite was constructed to activate H2O2 for antibiotic tetracycline (TC) pollutants removal. Under visible light irradiation, the degradation efficiency of TC reached 100 % within 30 min by FeP/Fe1-GO was 1.36 and 2.32 times than single component of FeP and Fe1-GO. Noteworthy, an extremely long-term stability with 100 times of recycling is achieved and the present system also bear a broad pH range with 3-11. The efficient charge separation and rich Fe single atoms active sites contribute the well Fe3+/Fe2+ cycles to support long-term multiple recycles. Finally, the TC degradation pathway and the toxicity of intermediate products were inferred. This work provides a way to construct high-stable Fenton-like catalyst via dual-photo-functional sites together with single atoms strategy.

Automated summary

In this study, a Fenton-like catalyst with dual-photo-functional sites of iron phosphide (FeP) and Fe single atom-graphene oxide (Fe1-GO) nanocomposite was developed for the degradation of antibiotic tetracycline (TC) pollutants. The FeP/Fe1-GO catalyst exhibited significantly higher efficiency in TC degradation under visible light irradiation compared to single component catalysts. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrated excellent stability with 100 cycles of recycling and a wide pH range tolerance from 3-11. The study also provided insights into the TC degradation pathway and the toxicity of intermediate products.