Self-reinforced Synchronization of persulfate activation and photocatalysis by Tri-metal heterojunction catalyst for efficient degradation of Sulfadiazine

[Display omitted] •Tri-metal heterojunction catalyst was synthesized by sequential hydrothermal process.•FSW exhibited remarkable electron transfer efficiency and kinetic rate.•Synchronization of persulfate activation and photocatalysis by FSW/PMS/vis system.•DFT calculations confirmed the enhanced adsorption and charge density of FSW to PMS.•Nonbiological toxicity of intermediates indicated the environmental appropriateness of the system. The outstanding performance of advanced oxidation processes based on self-generated active species in the decomposition of antibiotics has attracted widespread attention. Herein, a novel heterojunction flower-shaped microsphere Iron-based Hydroxide/Tungstate Antimony Oxide (FSW) composed of nanosheets with synchronous persulfate activation and photocatalytic properties were proposed to achieve efficient degradation of sulfadiazine (SDZ) by enhanced active oxidation species. Constructed FSW/PMS/vis system realized the improved removal of SDZ at pH 2–6, with a degradation efficiency of 96.6 % in just 6 min (electron transfer efficiency, 6.19 × 10–4 A/cm2; kinetic rate, 2-ORR). Investigation of density functional theory demonstrated the superiority of FSW catalysts (Eads = -1.63 eV), indicating that FSW can not only enhance the adsorption of PMS but also activate PMS to generate a large number of free radical ions, realizing rapid carrier movement and effective charge transfer, which highlights the application prospects of the system in eliminating antibiotics in environmental water bodies.