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Volume 13
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10.3390/environments13080426
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Article

Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal

by
Xuekai Wang
1,2,
Xiangwu Meng
3,*,
Mengtian Zhang
1,
Kai Li
1,
Lichun Mao
1,
Lu Zhong
1 and
Jianjun Li
1
1
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
2
Anhui Generic Technology Research Center for New Materials from Coal-Based Solid Wastes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
3
School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Environments 2026, 13(8), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426
Submission received: 15 June 2026 / Revised: 24 July 2026 / Accepted: 25 July 2026 / Published: 28 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Topic New Advances in Absorptive/Adsorptive, Extractive, and Catalytic Conversion Strategies for Pollutant Removal and Resource Reclamation)
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Abstract

Efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) from antibiotic-contaminated wastewater remains a significant challenge. In this study, a nitrogen-doped carbon modified cobalt ferrite (C@CoFe2O4, CF) composite was synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, and its adsorption–catalysis dual-function performance was systematically evaluated. Structural characterization revealed that CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were locally encapsulated by an N-doped carbonaceous layer, providing a high specific surface area and abundant nitrogen-containing active sites. Under optimized conditions, the CF-3/PMS system achieved 93.44% TC removal within 45 min, while CF-3 exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 486.5 mg·g−1. Radical quenching experiments suggested that singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide radicals (O2•−) played major roles in TC oxidation, while sulfate radicals (SO4•−) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•) also contributed, indicating the coexistence of radical and non-radical oxidation pathways. TC adsorption was driven by surface complexation, π–π electron donor–acceptor interactions, and hydrogen bonding. The enhanced TC removal performance may arise from the cooperative contributions of N-containing carbon sites, accessible Co/Fe-containing regions, and interfacial electronic interactions, which promote TC enrichment and PMS-mediated oxidation. This work provides a promising strategy for designing bifunctional materials for antibiotic wastewater treatment.
Keywords: adsorption; CoFe2O4; nitrogen-doped carbon; tetracycline; degradation adsorption; CoFe2O4; nitrogen-doped carbon; tetracycline; degradation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, X.; Meng, X.; Zhang, M.; Li, K.; Mao, L.; Zhong, L.; Li, J. Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal. Environments 2026, 13, 426. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426

AMA Style

Wang X, Meng X, Zhang M, Li K, Mao L, Zhong L, Li J. Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal. Environments. 2026; 13(8):426. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Xuekai, Xiangwu Meng, Mengtian Zhang, Kai Li, Lichun Mao, Lu Zhong, and Jianjun Li. 2026. "Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal" Environments 13, no. 8: 426. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426

APA Style

Wang, X., Meng, X., Zhang, M., Li, K., Mao, L., Zhong, L., & Li, J. (2026). Adsorption–Catalysis Dual-Function Nitrogen-Doped Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Tetracycline Removal. Environments, 13(8), 426. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13080426

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