Three-dimensional electro-Fenton system supplied with a nanocomposite of microbial cellulose/Fe3O4 for effective degradation of tetracycline

In this study, the catalytic activity of the modified microbial cellulose/Fe3O4 (MMC/ Fe3O4) composite was studied for tetracycline (TC) degradation and mineralization in a three-dimensional electro-Fenton system (3D-EF). The MC/Fe3O4 was modified at 400 °C for 60 min. The MMC/ Fe3O4 was fully analyzed (morphological, structural, chemical properties). Complete degradation and 65% mineralization of TC was achieved in the 3D-EF process (0.5 g L-1 MMC/ Fe3O4, 10 mM NaCl electrolyte, and neutral pH) within 20 min and electrical energy consumption (EEC) 0.86 kwh g-1 TC under the 6.66 mA cm-2. High degradation efficiency TC, in 3D-EF system was attributed to significant single oxygen (1O2), superoxide(O2•-) participation and less to Hydroxyl radical (OH•). Reusability of the MMC/ Fe3O4 was successfully carried out for five consecutive runs. Accordingly, greencompositeof MMC/ Fe3O4 can be considered as an efficient and durable particle electrode (PE) to degrade and mineralize emerging pollutants in an aquatic environment.