Novel iron free nano-Fenton-like catalyst for sustainable treatment of antibiotics and cyanobacteria

Due to the rise in gene resistance, discovering antibiotics in water bodies raises serious health risks. The present study synthesizes highly active iron-free nano-Fenton-like catalysts (IFNFLCs), ZY@(CeAg) to demonstrate the photo-Fenton-like (PFL) degradation and mineralization of antibiotics and cyanobacterial control. The papaya leaf (Carica papaya) phytochemicals synthesize the Ce and Ag nanoparticles onto the zeolite Y matrix. Various analytical techniques characterize the IFNFLCs extensively. The IFNFLCs efficiently eliminate tetracycline (TTC) and ciprofloxacin (CFX) in waterbodies under PFL treatment employing different light sources. Ag nanoparticles synergize the light-assisted degradation process. Several parametric studies were performed, including pH, TTC, or CFX concentrations, IFNFLC dosage, and H₂O₂ concentrations, along with repercussions of co-ions existing in water and radical scavengers. The ZY@(CeAg) IFNFLC shows the PFL elimination efficiency for TTC and CFX of 86.50% and 86.96%, respectively. Moreover, the treatment mineralizes significant percentages of TTC and CFX. The IFNFLC demonstrates remarkable stability and reusability even after 5 repetitive operations. The ZY@(CeAg) is an effective bimetallic in the photocatalytic activity, oxidative stress induction, disruption of cellular functions, and, eventually, growth inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa. The natural water implications show that novel IFNFLC is promising in decontaminating the water contaminated with TTC and CFX.