Implementation of martite nanoparticles prepared through planetary ball milling as a heterogeneous activator of oxone for degradation of tetracycline antibiotic: Ultrasound and peroxy-enhancement

The aim of the present study was to employ martite nanoparticles synthesized through planetary ball milling instead of conventional sources of iron for the activation of Oxone in order to decompose tetracycline (TC) antibiotic in the aquatic phase. Accordingly, martite nanoparticles-activated Oxone exhibited a remarkable improvement in degrading TC molecules up to 87%. The results indicated an increased decomposition rate of TC with increasing Oxone concentration, martite nanoparticles dosage, and initial pH. In the absence of ultrasound, the decomposition rate of TC was 0.0481 min⁻¹ within 30 min, while the implementation of ultrasound at 320 W and addition of hydrogen peroxide at 40 mM led to increase in the decomposition rate up to 0.0770 and 0.0907 min⁻¹, respectively. The presence of carbonate and even persulfate ions suppressed the decomposition rate. Inversely, the addition of chloride and carbon tetrachloride enhanced the reactor performance in terms of TC degradation. Within four consecutive experimental runs, only 10.8% was dropped in the decomposition rate, indicating the appropriate reusability potential of martite nanoparticles. The results confirmed the appropriate ability of the treatment process in degrading and mineralizing the target pollutant but a longer exposure time is required for an efficient mineralization.