Exploration of degradation pathways of six antibiotics using a novel Co0.5Fe0.5Fe2O₄ nanozyme

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the advanced degradation of six common antibiotics using a novel Co 0.5 Fe 0.5 Fe 2 O₄ nanozyme. Under optimal conditions (pH 7, 0.5 mM H 2 O 2 , 15-min reaction time, and room temperature), the nanozyme demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance, achieved near-complete removal of ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole. Kinetic studies confirmed its superior catalytic activity, with a Michaelis–Menten constant ( K m ) of 0.0366 mM and a maximum reaction velocity ( V max ) of 1.10 × 10⁻4 µM·min⁻1. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis elucidated the degradation pathways by identifying intermediate compounds and stepwise transformations, while total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed the mineralization of pollutants into CO 2 and H 2 O. Compared to conventional catalysts, Co 0.5 Fe 0.5 Fe 2 O₄ exhibited superior activity without the need external activation, demonstrating its potential for efficient and sustainable water treatment. These findings are significant for environmental remediation and hold promise for practical applications in pharmaceuticals and wastewater treatment. Moreover, this work provides valuable insights into antibiotic degradation pathways, supporting its potential use in sustainable water treatment strategies.