Insight into the enhanced organic pollutants via photo-Fenton of Fe3O4/MnO2 nanoreactor

Abstract

Photo-Fenton technology constituted Fenton and photocatalysis reaction is a great potential in controlling organic pollutants. In this study, Fe₃O₄/MnO₂ nanoreactor for the removal of tetracycline (TC) with high efficiency was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterise the material composition and optical properties of the catalysts. Fe₃O₄/MnO₂ (5 %) exhibited highest degradation rate of TC under UV lamp and C₂H₂O₄, reaching 99.7 %. The optimal kinetic rate constant could reach 0.0831 min⁻¹, which was 2.15 times higher than Fe₃O₄ (0.0387 min⁻¹). Moreover, the TC degradation efficiency of the prepared photocatalysts was significantly improved by optimising the performance of the factors such as the dosage, the initial TC concentration and the pH value. The present work shows a potential strategy for the design of inexpensive and effective iron-based photocatalysts that can be used for Fenton catalysis removal of antibiotics in wastewater and other environmental applications.