Unraveling the degradation of levofloxacin using highly efficient β-cyclodextrin-modified copper ferrite through peroxymonosulfate activation: Mechanistic performance and degradation pathways

In this study, a highly magnetic beta-cyclodextrin-modified copper ferrite (CuFe2O4@beta-CD) catalyst was developed utilizing a hydrothermal method, which was subsequently utilized to degrade Levofloxacin (LEV) antibiotic in aqueous solution via heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The findings demonstrated that the 98.87 % degradation of LEV was achieved with CuFe2O4@beta-CD/PMS, much higher than that of pure CuFe2O4/PMS (87.78 %) within a 24-minute time frame under optimal parameters ([CuFe2O4@beta-CD] = 0.4 g/L, [PMS] = 0.4 mM, [LEV] = 25 mg/L, pH = 6), and CuFe2O4@beta-CD/PMS was present. The rate constant of CuFe2O4@beta-CD/PMS (0.1608 min(-1)) was much greater than that of the CuFe2O4/PMS system (0.0822 min(-1)). The increased availability of active sites for PMS activation may be credited to the larger surface area (189.42 m(2)/g) of the CuFe2O4@beta-CD catalyst in comparison to the pristine CuFe2O4 (87.76 m(2)/g), which facilitated the improved degradation of LEV. Additionally, the impact of various reaction parameters and intervening anions on the degradation of LEV was investigated. The emergence of free radicals (SO4 center dot-, center dot OH, and O-1(2)) was corroborated via electron paramagnetic resonance and scavenging experiments. On the basis of recognizing reaction intermediates, a hypothetical degradation mechanism for LEV was developed. PMS activation was caused by the transformation of Cu+/Cu2+ and Fe3+/Fe2+ pairs, which was accomplished via radical and non-radical pathways. Also, CuFe2O4@beta-CD demonstrated exceptional stability and retained its catalytic activity after five concurrent cycles. In conclusion, the CuFe2O4@beta-CD catalyst demonstrated encouraging potential in the context of purifying LEV-contaminated water.