Nitrogen-doped graphene oxide aerogel anchored with spinel CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for rapid degradation of tetracycline

The porous structure of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel (3D N-rGA) facilitates the enrichment of contaminants and promotes the uniform dispersion of CoFe2O4 to accelerate electron transfer for strengthen the degradation of tetracycline. Compared to previous work, the obvious advantages of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel anchored with spinel CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (3D CoFe2O4/N-rGA) to activate peroxymonosulfate to form Sulfate radical (SO4−) and Hydroxyl radicals (OH) appears an outstanding degradation efficiency of tetracycline. [Display omitted] •3D CoFe2O4/N-rGA/PMS system has a high degradation efficiency for tetracycline.•Designed system has a high degradation efficiency for pharmaceutical wastewater.•Spinel CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with 40 nm diameter are anchored with 3D N-rGA.•The degradation mechanism of TC is proposed by XPS, EPR and HRLC-MS. Antibiotic-like organic pollutants are harmful for aquatic ecosystems and seriously disrupt the ecological balance. Herein, we design a three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene oxide aerogel anchored with CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (3D CoFe2O4/N-rGA) via simple hydrothermal method, which can be used for peroxomonosulfate (PMS) activation toward rapidly and highly efficient degradation of tetracycline (TC). Nitrogen doped into the graphene cellular network can effectively enhance the catalytic activity of the anchored CoFe2O4 by weakening the O-O band, creating new active sites and acting as an excellent electron bridge through synergistic effects. The degradation efficiency of TC is detected to be as high as 85% only within 10 s and the degradation rate can remain above 90% after five cycles under the presence of 3D CoFe2O4/N-rGA and PMS. The catalyst also has a high efficiency for various antibiotic and pharmaceutical wastewater containing multiple antibiotics degradation.