Usage of MnFe2O4-rGO Nanocomposite as efficient Fenton catalyst for Tetracycline removal by heterogeneous sono Fenton process: Characterizations, catalytic performance assessment, and mechanism

In this study, monodisperse MnFe2O4/rGO nanoparticles was prepared and used as Fenton catalyst for Tetracycline (TC) degradation combining with ultrasonic process. The physicochemical properties of the resulted NPs were detected transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The effect of operational parameters containing amount of catalyst, H2O2 concentration, initial TC concentration, initial pH of solution, ultrasonic power, and process time on the TC removal efficiency during heterogeneous sono-Fenton process was studied. The best sonocatalytic efficiency of 92.85% was attained by using 0.3 g/L MnFe2O4/rGO nanocatalyst, 10 mg/L TC, 12 mM H2O2, 450 W ultrasonic power, and at pH = 3 after 120 min. By using organic and inorganic scavengers, the primary active species was determined for TC removal during heterogeneous sono-Fenton oxidation.The results showed that ROS species were effective in TC removal in the order h+ > •OH > O2•−. Moreover, MnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposite were reusable up to the five consecutive cycles without any notable loss in activity.