Fabricating CuFe2O4 for boosting peroxymonosulfate activation to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride via sol-gel method with the assistance of PEG

Abstract

CuFe₂O₄, distinguished by its magnetic properties, facilitates swift separation from solution, thereby addressing challenges associated with the recovery, cost, and potential secondary pollution of conventional catalytic materials. In this study, CuFe₂O₄ was synthesized via the PEG-assisted sol-gel method, aiming to boost the activation of PMS for tetracycline (TC) degradation. Detailed characterization of the catalysts was conducted using XRD and SEM techniques. Furthermore, the study explored the influence of various reaction parameters, such as catalyst dosage, PMS dosage and initial pH, on TC degradation efficiency. The results revealed that the CuFe₂O₄ catalyst (CFO-20000) prepared by PEG-20000 assisted sol-gel method exhibited uniform and fine particles, a large specific surface area, high magnetism, and low catalytic activation energy. Furthermore, the prepared CFO-20000 material demonstrated superior catalytic performance. With TC concentration of 50 mg L⁻¹, CFO-20000 dosage of 250 mg L⁻¹, an optimal pH of 8, and an ideal PMS concentration of 1.5 mmol L⁻¹ during the catalytic process, an impressive degradation rate of 99.6 % for TC was achieved within just 27 min of catalytic time.