Electrospun Iron/Cobalt Alloy Nanoparticles On Carbon Nano Fibers Towards Exhaustive Electrocatalytic Degradation Of Tetracycline In Wastewater

Rough surfaced carbon nanofibers bearing evenly distributed iron/cobalt alloy nanoparticles (Fe/Co-CNFs) are developed through the electrospinning of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) mingled with 5.0 wt% of total ferric nitrate and cobalt nitrate concentration, followed by direct calcination of PVP composite nanofibers at 800 degrees C for 30 min in a reduction atmosphere. With a large specific surface area and active sites, the Fe/Co-CNFs could serve as an excellent anode material for the complete electrocatalytic degradation of tetracycline into carbon dioxide and water at a bias voltage of 1.0 V (vs. SCE) in a solution with pH value of 5.0 and 0.1 mol L-1 Na2SO4 as the supporting electrolyte. The observed tetracycline degradation percentage of 97.55% even after ten cycles of electrocatalytic process for Fe/Co-CNFs modified electrode indicates an excellent stability, recyclability, and reusability. This work provides a novel material for environmental remediation of antibiotic contaminated water.