Remediation of tetracycline pollution using MXene and nano-zero-valent iron materials: a review

Antibiotic resistance is a major health issue partly caused by the diffusion of antibiotic pollution in the natural environment, thus calling for advanced methods to remove antibiotics such as tetracyclines, a major class of pharmaceuticals. Here we review the use of MXene and nano-zero-valent iron-based materials to treat tetracycline in wastewater. MXenes are a class of two-dimensional nanomaterials represented as Mn+1XnTx, where M is an early transition metal, X refers to carbon or nitrogen, and T denotes surface termination groups. Values of n ranges between 1 and 4, and x indicate the number of surface functional groups. MXene and nano-zero-valent iron-based materials can be used as adsorbents, photocatalysts, electrocatalysts and membranes for removing tetracyclines. We review the toxicology of tetracycline, the synthesis and recycling of materials, the removal of tetracyclines and underlying mechanisms, and the use of materials as sensors. Remarkably, a MXene derived from carbide nitride and bismuth oxobromide removed 99% of tetracycline in 30 min. Similarly, a nano-zero-valent iron doped with graphene oxide and copper allowed 100% degradation of tetracycline in 15 min.

Automated summary

Antibiotic resistance is a major health issue and the diffusion of antibiotic pollution in the environment contributes to it. This review discusses the use of MXene and nano-zero-valent iron-based materials as effective methods to remove tetracyclines from wastewater. These materials can serve as adsorbents, photocatalysts, electrocatalysts, and membranes for the removal of tetracyclines. Importantly, a MXene derived from carbide nitride and bismuth oxobromide removed 99% of tetracycline in just 30 minutes, and a nano-zero-valent iron doped with graphene oxide and copper resulted in 100% degradation of tetacycline in 15 minutes.