Catalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride by Coupled UV−Peroxydisulfate System: Efficiency, Stability and Mechanism

Abstract

Magnetic CuFe2O4 powder obtained by sol−gel method and coupled photocatalysis was used to activate peroxydisulfate for tetracycline (TC) removal. A scanning electron microscope, X−ray diffraction Raman spectroscopy and FT−TR were used to characterize the catalysts. The degradation efficiency and stability of TC were highest under neutral conditions. The TC degradation rate reached 91.1% within 90 min. The removal rate of total organic carbon reaches 39.6% under optimal conditions. The unique electron transfer property of CuFe2O4 was utilized to achieve the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and persulfate oxidation. The main oxidizing substances involved in the decomposition were sulfate radicals and hydroxyl radicals, and the removal rate of over 84% could be maintained after five cycles of experiments.