Tribocatalysis of Cefuroxime Axetil: Effect of Stirring Speed, Magnetic Rods, and Beaker Material Type

Mechanical energy is a plentiful, environmentally friendly, and sustainable energy source in the natural world. In this paper, ZnO tribocatalysts were synthesized using the hydrothermal and sol–gel methods. Under magnetic stirring, the catalyst particles and the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-sealed magnetic bar rub against each other, transferring electrons across the contact interface. While the PTFE absorbs the electrons, holes are left in the catalyst. The holes in the valence band of sol–gel catalysts exhibit strong oxidative ability, allowing for effective oxidation of organic pollutants. Tribocatalytic tests demonstrated that sol–gel ZnO could remove the antibiotic Cefuroxime Axetil (Axetine) more quickly when stirred magnetically in the dark. Sol–gel and hydrothermal ZnO was enhanced by varying the stirring speed (100, 300 and 500 rpm), the length (2, 2.5 and 3 cm) of magnetic rods, and the type of beaker material (glass and polytetrafluoroethylene). This work presents a viable pathway for transforming environmental mechanical energy into chemical energy, which could be utilized in sustainable energy and environmental remediation, in addition to creating a green tribocatalysis method for the oxidative purification of organic pollutants.