Fe₃C/Carbon-Coated Fe₃O₄ Core–Shell Nanoparticles as Recyclable Catalysts for Ciprofloxacin Degradation in Water

On using magnetic Fe3O4 as the core of nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) matrix composite Fe3C (Fe3C/Fe3O4@NC), it not only shows good peroxide-like and oxidase-like properties but also has excellent Fenton-like degradability. Based on the Fenton-like properties of the core–shell nanocomposites, ciprofloxacin can be degraded by activated peroxo monosulfate. The magnetic core is easy to recover, and the shell has good catalytic performance. The degradation rate using Fe3C/Fe3O4@NC as the catalyst was 7.3 and 2.9 times that of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@NC as catalysts, respectively, and the sulfate radical was found to be the main active species involved in the degradation. The actual performance of the catalyst was evaluated in simulated wastewater and different water sources. Inorganic anions slightly changed the degradation rate, while common organic compounds in wastewater reduced the degradation rate. The composite materials have excellent catalytic performance, good magnetic response, and repeatability, which are conducive to practical application in wastewater treatment process.