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Efficient degradation of tetracycline via iron(II,III) oxide nanoparticle-activated hydrogen peroxide: mechanisms and performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2025

Xu Cao ,
Kunlei Wang ,
Fei Long ,
Zhanli Chen Open the ORCID record for Zhanli Chen [Opens in a new window] ,
Ping Zhang Open the ORCID record for Ping Zhang [Opens in a new window] ,
Bo Zeng  and
Longyong Wu
Xu Cao
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Kunlei Wang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Fei Long
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Zhanli Chen
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Ping Zhang*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Bo Zeng
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Longyong Wu
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, School of Resources & Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
*
Corresponding author: Ping Zhang; Email: zhangping@ncu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Magnetite-enriched mining tailings are a cost-effective and abundant catalytic material with inherent magnetic recyclability. Yet their practical application in catalysis is often constrained by their limited surface area and sluggish reaction kinetics. To address these issues, we developed a facile one-step co-precipitation method to synthesize a magnetic nano-Fe3O4 (MNP) catalyst that exhibits enhanced surface reactivity for efficient activation of H2O2 towards tetracycline (TC) degradation. The system achieved complete (100%) removal of TC at an initial concentration of 20 mg L–1 within 90 min and demonstrated robust catalytic performance across weakly acidic to neutral pH conditions. Mechanistic investigations confirmed that ⋅OH is the primary reactive oxygen species involved, with ⋅O2⁻ and 1O2 providing supplementary contributions to the degradation. Remarkably, the intrinsic magnetic properties ensured efficient MNP catalyst recovery. This work provides a sustainable and scalable wastewater treatment strategy, leveraging mining tailings as a cost-effective resource to treat wastewater while also providing economic and environmental benefits.

Keywords

Advanced oxidation processeshydrogen peroxidemagnetitetetracycline

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Type
Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 60 , Issue 4 , December 2025 , pp. 296 - 306
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Mineralogical Society of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

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