Activation of Potassium Peroxymonosulfate by Copper Ferrite/Bamboo Biochar Composite for Efficient Degradation of Tetracycline

Abstract In this study, an innovative tetracycline (TC) degradation approach was developed by activation of potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using CuFe 2 O 4 /bamboo biochar composite (CuFe 2 O 4 @BB) as the catalyst prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The effects of catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, initial pH, TC concentration, and coexisting anions on TC degradation were systematically studied. Under the optimum conditions (catalyst dosage = 0.1 g/L, PMS concentration = 0.25 g/L, TC concentration = 20 mg/L, and initial pH = 9), TC removal efficiency of 97.9% could be achieved within 40 min. TC degradation was inhibited by inorganic anions to different extents (H 2 PO 4 − > Cl − > NO 3 − > HCO 3 − ), wherein HCO 3 − displayed a slight promoting effect. Actual water bodies and the addition of humic acid did not apparently affect the oxidation system. The catalyst had wide pH adaptability, excellent recyclability and reusability, and low metal leaching property. The results of radical quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra analysis displayed that the radical (SO 4 •− , • OH and O 2 •− ) and non‐radical pathways ( 1 O 2 ) were involved in TC degradation. A catalytic mechanism of the system was proposed: active species was generated via PMS activation by the valence state changes of transition metals and the functional groups of biochar surface to degrade TC.