Coupled sorption and oxidation of amoxicillin over magnetite nanoparticle-coated activated carbon

Pharmaceutical pollutants detected in water sources pose risks to aquatic ecosystems by disrupting microbial communities. This study focuses on the in-situ synthesis and characterization of magnetite nanoparticle coated activated carbon (MAGAC) for amoxicillin (AMOX) removal by adsorption and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), potassium persulfate (PS), and peroxymonosulfate (Oxone) under neutral pH and room temperature conditions. Increasing H 2 O 2 concentrations enhanced AMOX degradation, with the highest concentration yielding the fastest rate. In comparative experiments, MAGAC with Oxone showed the most rapid degradation, while chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis revealed that MAGAC with PS held the highest percentage removal rate. The structural, morphological, and textural properties of the synthesized particles were confirmed by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda. The findings suggest that the combined adsorption–oxidation system using MAGAC and appropriate oxidants is effective for removing amoxicillin, used here as a model organic pharmaceutical pollutant. However, further investigations are required to evaluate MAGAC’s the performance and behavior in real wastewater matrices. • Synthesis of magnetite nanoparticle-coated activated carbon (MAGAC). • Efficient removal of amoxicillin under neutral pH and room temperature. • Oxone yielded fastest rate, while persulfate showed highest COD removal. • MAGAC demonstrated stability; further testing in real wastewater conditions is required.