In-situ preparation of yeast-supported Fe0@Fe2O3 as peroxymonosulfate activator for enhanced degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is extensively used as a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator but suffers from the ease of oxidation and agglomeration due to its high surface energy and inherent magnetism. Here, green and sustainable yeast was selected as a support material to firstly in-situ prepare yeast-supported Fe0@Fe2O3 and used for activating PMS to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH), one of the common antibiotics. Due to the anti-oxidation ability of the Fe2O3 shell and the support effect of yeast, the prepared Fe0@Fe2O3/YC exhibited a superior catalytic activity for the removal of TCH as well as some other typical refractory contaminants. The chemical quenching experiments and EPR results demonstrated SO4•− was the main reactive oxygen species while O2•−, 1O2 and •OH played a minor role. Importantly, the crucial role of the Fe2+/Fe3+ cycle promoted by the Fe0 core and surface iron hydroxyl species in PMS activation was elucidated in detail. The TCH degradation pathways were proposed by LC-MS and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. In addition, the outstanding magnetic separation property, anti-oxidation ability, and high environmental resistance of the catalyst were demonstrated. Our work may inspire the development of green, efficient, and robust nZVI-based materials for wastewater treatment.