Preparation of Fe–N co-doped carbon-based catalysts and their influence on tetracycline degradation properties

Abstract

A high-performance Fe–N co-doped carbon-based catalyst was prepared to activate PMS by a one-step pyrolysis using ferbam, melamine and sucrose. The best catalyst Fe–N/C exhibited high catalytic activity against PMS at an ultra-low catalyst dosage (50 mg L⁻¹), and the TC decomposition rate reached 92.3% within 30 min. The results demonstrated that graphite N, pyridine N, Fe⁰ and Fe₃C were the main active substances for catalyzing PMS. Free radical quenching analysis and EPR experiments further proved that the O₂˙⁻ served as the main active oxygen species. Finally, the environmental hazard of the intermediate product was studied by ECOSAR system.