Zr−Doped OMS−2 Nano−rods as Efficient Catalysts for Degradation of Tetracycline via Peroxydisulfate Activation

Zirconium−incorporated manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (Zr−OMS−2) was fabricated through a reflux method and applied to decompose tetracycline (TC) in an aqueous solution by peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation. The characteristics of Zr−OMS−2 was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT−IR), X−ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), N₂ adsorption−desorption isotherms, and X−ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Under the optimized conditions, the TC degradation efficiency in the Zr−OMS−2/PDS system was 94.7% within 50 min, which was almost twice the degradation efficiency in presence of pure OMS−2 under the same conditions (52.3%). This system showed satisfactory performance over a wide range of pH (2−9). The results of radical trapping experiments proved that the removal of TC can be attributed to the generation of HO• and SO₄•⁻ free radicals. Additionally, the catalyst demonstrated satisfactory stability and reusability during four consecutive cycles.