Mechanism exploration in tetracycline degradation by Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide-biochar/peroxymonosulfate system: Nonradical-dominated oxidation process

Metal-based materials are widely regarded as promising catalysts for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to remove refractory organic contaminants with high efficiency. In our study, Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH)-biochar (BC) composite-induced PMS-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) was utilized to elucidate the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). In Ni-Fe LDH-BC/PMS system, more than 99% TCH (45 μM) could be removed effectively at low doses of oxidant (PMS, 0.10 mM) and catalyst (Ni-Fe LDH-BC, 0.10 g/L) addition within 80 min. Besides, the Ni-Fe LDH-BC/PMS system showed high resistance to some inorganic anions, and the Ni-Fe LDH-BC composite possessed excellent reusability in the degradation of TCH (>99% in four cyclic experiments). The reaction mechanisms were investigated via electron paramagnetic resonance detection, chemical quenching tests, probe experiments, and electrochemical measurements. These results indicated that the electron-shuttle mechanism played the dominant role in the removal of TCH. It is worth noting that determination of PMS concentration can reflect the reliability of quenching experiments. In the Ni-Fe LDH-BC composite, BC could not only improve the dispersion of Ni-Fe LDH, but also increase the conductivity of Ni-Fe LDH. Overall, a successful modification strategy was proposed in our study to improve the catalytic property of Ni-Fe LDH, and reaction mechanisms of TCH degradation were discussed deeply and comprehensively.