Pyrite nanoparticles derived from mine waste as efficient catalyst for the activation of persulfates for degradation of tetracycline

Pyrite mine waste was used as a non-toxic and natural catalyst for the activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to oxidize tetracycline (TTC), one most extensively antibiotics worldwide, in contaminated water. The results demonstrated that PMS activated more effectively than PDS by using pyrite. Scavenging experiments indicated both OH SO4− were main oxidative species pyrite/PMS process, while dominant. A high degradation 98.3 % significant mineralization (up 46 %) TTC (50 mg/L) achieved pyrite at reaction time 30 60 min, respectively. In-vivo toxicity raw treated solutions evaluated biochemical histopathological assays. revealed process significantly decreased nephrotoxicity (90 hepatotoxicity (85 effect TTC. Catalyst reusability under cycling conditions. No decrease efficiency measured between first fourth cycle (<3% removal). In conclusion, nanoparticles can be considered clean activate an effective detoxification, degradation, intermediate TTC, refractory water pollutant.