Factors influencing the degradation of tetracycline by tourmaline activated persulfate

Abstract

In this research, tourmaline with spontaneous polarization and active centers has been used as a catalyst to activate persulfate for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) in aquatic environments. The aims of this research are to reveal the mechanism, optimal reaction conditions, and stability of its synergistic degradation, and to provide new ideas for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water. The experimental results indicate that the surface electric field and spontaneous polarization of tourmaline can activate persulfate to produce a large amount of •OH and SO 4 -•, which caused the oxidation and degradation of the TC. At the temperature of 60 °C and pH value of 5, the removal rate of TC in the tourmaline and persulfate system can reach up to 98.23% within 120 min. After 5 times of recycling, the TC removal rate by the tourmaline activated persulfate remains at nearly 90%, and the tourmaline has remained basically similar activity and structural stability relative to the initial state of tourmaline. These suggest that the tourmaline efficiently activated persulfate can lead to the low-cost and effective degradation of the TC.