Efficient degradation of cefadroxil by peroxymonosulfate activation with nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on MnFe2O4

A magnetic Fe0/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite was prepared, characterized and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of cefadroxil (CDX) in water. The results suggested that a synergistic effect existed between Fe0 and MnFe2O4, since Fe0/MnFe2O4 presented higher catalytic activity than that of the pure Fe0 and MnFe2O4. A 93.4 % CDX removal and 58.2 % TOC removal was reached in the Fe0/MnFe2O4/PMS system at 120 min. Based on radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests, the generation of SO4 center dot-, center dot OH, O2 center dot- and 1O2 was proved and the mechanism of PMS activation by Fe0/MnFe2O4 was proposed. Overall, this work indicated that Fe0/MnFe2O4/PMS system showed a good potential for the elimination of antibiotics in the aquatic environment.

Automated summary

A magnetic Fe0/MnFe2O4 nanocomposite was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of cefadroxil (CDX) in water. The Fe0/MnFe2O4 showed higher catalytic activity than pure Fe0 and MnFe2O4. The Fe0/MnFe2O4/PMS system demonstrated a good potential for eliminating antibiotics in the aquatic environment with 93.4% CDX removal and 58.2% TOC removal achieved within 120 minutes.