Catalytic degradation of tetracycline by ATP@Fe 3 O 4 composite material activated persulfate

Ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were supported on attapulgite (ATP) by co-precipitation method, and a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst ATP@Fe3O4 with both adsorption and catalytic properties was prepared. SEM (scanning electron microscope), XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer) were used to characterize the structure of ATP@Fe3O4, and the degradation of tetracycline (TC) by ATP@Fe3O4 activated persulfate (PS) were studied. The results showed that the ATP@Fe3O4 composite was a powerful catalyst for the activation of persulfate to generate sulfate radicals ( ${\rm{SO}}^{\cdot -}_4 $ ), which could greatly improve the degradation of TC in aqueous solution by PS. At the PS concentration of 10 mmol·L−1 and the ATP@Fe3O4 dosage of 1.5 g·L−1, the degradation rate of tetracycline solution with initial concentration of 80 mg·L−1 and pH 3.9 reached 98.75% after 90 min. This study also discussed tetracycline removal mechanism by the ATP@Fe3O4/PS system. The Fe3O4 particles supported on the ATP surface and the partially dissolved Fe2+ in the water catalyzed PS to form ${\rm{SO}}^{\cdot -}_4 $ , which oxidized TC to CO2, H2O and intermediates. This study results provide theoretical basis and reference for the application of catalytic materials.