Photocatalytic activation of hydrogen peroxide via a novel CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 up-conversion material without rare-earth ions for doxycycline hydrochloride degradation

Abstract

A novel CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 up-conversion material without rare-earth ions was fabricated for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) activation to degrade doxycycline hydrochloride (DOH) under simulate sunlight irradiation. The CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 exhibited superior absorption performance in near-infrared (NIR) region and up-conversion property. The CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 can effectively activate H2O2 for DOH degradation under ultraviolet, visible and NIR irradiation. Although H2O2 was more easily adsorbed on monometallic Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 surface according to the result of density functional theory calculations, the CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 showed more superior property for H2O2 activation than Fe3(PO4)2(OH)2 due to its higher photoconversion efficiency. Moreover, the redox cycles of Fe3+/Fe2+ and Cu2+/Cu+ on CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 surface further promoted H2O2 activation to degrade DOH with •OH was the main active species. The degradation process and evolution law of intermediates were determined by HPLC/MS/MS and DFT calculations. The Toxicity Estimation Software Tool based on quantitative structure–activity relationship prediction and antibacterial experiment showed that the overall toxicity and antibacterial activity gradually decreased with reaction. The CuFe2(PO4)2(OH)2 existed fine anti-interference property and universality for the removal of other antibiotic pollution.