Rapid degradation of levofloxacin using peroxymonosulfate activated by SrTiO3/CoFe2O4/rGO magnetic nano-composite: Efficiency, stability, and mechanism investigation

In this study, ternary magnetic nanocomposites (SrTiO3/CoFe2O4/rGO, SCG) doped with cobalt ferrite and loaded with rGO were successfully synthesized, and utilized to rapidly activate PMS to degrade LVF. After evaluating the efficacy of samples with different loading loads, SCG-1 (1 % wt rGO loading) was selected for further testing due to its optimal catalytic activity (degradation efficiency reached 87.4 % in 5 min). Quench experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis showed that SO4 center dot-, O-1(2), (OH)-O-center dot were the main active substance involved in LVF degradation. Based on the redox cycle of Co and Fe ions and the platform provided by perovskite and rGO, the reaction can be carried out quickly. The vulnerable sites and possible degradation pathways of LVF were further analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) calculation and LC-MS/MS analysis, and the developmental toxicity and ecological risk of intermediate products were determined based on toxicity assessment software (T.E.S.T). This study provided a new vision for realizing rapid antibiotic degradation in water environments and provided theoretical support for the subsequent research on novel nanomaterials.

Automated summary

In this study, ternary magnetic nanocomposites (SrTiO3/CoFe2O4/rGO, SCG) doped with cobalt ferrite and loaded with rGO were synthesized and used for rapid activation of PMS to degrade LVF. SCG-1 (1% wt rGO loading) showed the highest catalytic activity, with a degradation efficiency of 87.4% in 5 minutes. The main active substances involved in LVF degradation were identified as SO4 center dot-, O-1(2), and (OH)-O-center dot through quench experiments and EPR analysis. The vulnerability sites and degradation pathways of LVF were analyzed, and the toxicity and ecological risk of intermediate products were determined.