Hydrothermal synthesis of magnetic nano-CoFe2O4 catalyst and its enhanced degradation of amoxicillin by activated permonosulfate

Advanced oxidation process (AOP) has attracted widespread attention because it can effectively remove antibiotics in water, but its practical engineering application is limited by the problems of the low efficiency and difficult recovery of the catalyst. In the study, nano-spinel CoFe2O4 was prepared by hydrothermal method and served as the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) catalyst to degrade antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX). The reaction parameters such as CoFe2O4 dosage, AMX concentration, and initial pH value were also optimized. The reaction mechanism was proposed through free radical capture experiment and possible degradation pathway analysis. In addition, the magnetic recovery performance and stability of the catalyst were evaluated. Results showed that 85.5% of AMX could be removed within 90 min at optimal conditions. Sulfate radicals and hydroxyl radicals were the active species for AMX degradation. Moreover, the catalyst showed excellent magnetism and stability in the cycle experiment, which has great potential in the AOP treatment of antibiotic polluted wastewater.