Fast and complete degradation of norfloxacin by using Fe/Fe3C@NG as a bifunctional catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate

A composite of Fe/Fe3C and N-doped graphitic carbon (Fe/Fe3[email protected]) was prepared and used as a catalyst for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) toward the oxidative degradation of Norfloxacin (NOF). It was observed that Fe/Fe3[email protected] behaved as a bifunctional material, showing both good adsorption ability and catalytic activity. The maximum adsorption capacity of Fe/Fe3[email protected] for NOF was evaluated as 0.13 mmol g−1. Under given conditions (NOF concentration 0.1 mmol L−1, catalyst load 0.1 g L−1 and PMS addition 1 mmol L−1), the degradation of NOF was almost completely achieved in 20 min with a degradation rate constant of 0.22 min−1. A non-radical mechanism was proposed for the activation of PMS by Fe/Fe3[email protected] by the scavenging test, EPR and chronoamperometry analysis. The fast and complete degradation of NOF was achieved via a rapid electron transform, in which both PMS and NOF molecular were adsorbed on the surface of Fe/Fe3[email protected] and PMS was activated by obtaining electrons from NOF to oxidize NOF. The present study provides a green bifunctional catalyst for the oxidative removal of organic pollutants in various environmental media.