Self-endowed magnetic photocatalysts derived from iron-rich sludge and its recycling in photocatalytic process for tetracycline degradation
Xixiang Liu, Hengyi Wang, Chenxu Wang, Liyang Zhao, Honghui Pan, Yan Liu, Liying Liang, Chuanqi Zhao, Shiyong Huang
Abstract
The disposal of iron-rich sludge by landfill or incineration poses environmental risks and wastes resources. The utilization of iron-rich sludge for magnetic material preparation offers a sustainable and resource-efficient solution for its disposal. Herein, self-endowed magnetic photocatalysts were initially prepared by pyrolysis using iron-rich sludge without any additives. The photocatalysts performance were evaluated for tetracycline degradation, with the highest degradation rate of 95.3 % at a concentration of 10 mg·L -1 (pH = 7) within 5 h being achieved for the photocatalyst prepared at 800 °C. The reactive radical species in the photocatalysis process were confirmed to be •OH and O 2 •- activated by ferrous oxygen species under light irradiation. Furthermore, quinone-like structures induced bound persistent free radicals, which emerged as the predominant factors influencing 1 O 2 formation. The employed photocatalyst can be efficiently separated and recovered owing to its magnetism. This work presents an economic solution for antibiotic removal using waste iron-rich sludge.