Citation: Han Yan, Xudong Yang, Wen Liu, Fengbin Sun, Guodong Jia. Biochar-supported amorphous ferric hydroxide for peracetic acid activation to degrade cefapirin in water: The crucial roles of iron and nitrogen[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(3): 111542. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111542 shu

Biochar-supported amorphous ferric hydroxide for peracetic acid activation to degrade cefapirin in water: The crucial roles of iron and nitrogen

Han Yan ^a ,
Xudong Yang ^b ,
Wen Liu ^{b, c} ,
Fengbin Sun ^{d, *,} ,
Guodong Jia ^{a, *,}

a.
College of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
b.
The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
c.
Molecular Sciences National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
d.
Weather Modification Centre, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China

fengbintamu@163.com

jiaguodong@bjfu.edu.cn

Received Date: 7 March 2025
Revised Date: 6 June 2025
Accepted Date: 3 July 2025
Available Online: 3 July 2025

Figures(5)

Antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments poses serious risks to ecosystems and public health, necessitating the development of effective removal technologies. In this study, a novel biochar-supported ferric oxyhydroxide (FeOOH/BC) composite catalyst was developed for the activation of peracetic acid (PAA) to degrade cefapirin (CFP), a widely used and persistent cephalosporin antibiotic. The catalyst featured highly dispersed FeOOH nanoparticles and enhanced interfacial electron transfer, enabling efficient activation of PAA through dual pathways involving both radical and non-radical species. FeOOH/BC-1 exhibited the highest catalytic activity, where high-valent iron, singlet oxygen, and surface-bound reactive species played the primary roles in CFP degradation. Fe(Ⅲ) active sites generate high-valent iron oxo, while N active sites in biochar accounted for the direct electron transfer. This work provides a new approach for activating PAA in the degradation of emerging contaminants and offers a feasible method for catalyst regeneration in wastewater treatment applications.
- Peracetic acid,
- Biochar,
- Ferric oxyhydroxide,
- Reactive species,
- Antibiotics
1. [1]
  C. Liu, L. Tan, L. Zhang, et al., Front. Env. Sci. 9 (2021) 692298. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2021.692298
2. [2]
  Z. Su, K. Wang, F. Yang, et al., Water Res. 235 (2023) 119867. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119867
3. [3]
  D.G.J. Larsson, C.F. Flach, Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 20 (2022) 257–269. doi: 10.1038/s41579-021-00649-x
4. [4]
  M. Tian, X. He, Y. Feng, et al., Antibiotics 10 (2021) 539. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics10050539
5. [5]
  D. Mangla, A. Sharma, S. Ikram, J. Hazard. Mater. 425 (2022) 127946. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127946
6. [6]
  X. Wang, J. Jing, M. Zhou, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 34 (2023) 107621. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.06.044
7. [7]
  V. Vinayagam, K.N. Palani, S. Ganesh, et al., Environ. Res. 240 (2024) 117500. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117500
8. [8]
  B. Liu, B. Huang, X. Ma, et al., J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 12 (2024) 112927. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.112927
9. [9]
  S. Li, C. Dai, Y. Duan, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 330 (2024) 125240. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125240
10. [10]
  C. Qiao, W. Jia, J. Tang, et al., Environ. Res. 263 (2024) 120058. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120058
11. [11]
  B. Li, Y. Wang, Y. Liu, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 110374. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110374
12. [12]
  F. Miao, C. Cheng, W. Ren, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 58 (2024) 8554–8564. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10361
13. [13]
  Z. Wang, Z. Chen, Q. Li, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 57 (2023) 10478–10488. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03370
14. [14]
  T. Li, Y. Yu, M. Pei, J. Phys. Chem. C 127 (2023) 6271–6279. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c08262
15. [15]
  X. Li, Y. Fu, S. Zhao, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 430 (2022) 133101. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.133101
16. [16]
  Y. Gong, Y. Wang, N. Lin, et al., Environ. Pollut. 299 (2022) 118871. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118871
17. [17]
  H.K. Thejas, N. Hossiney, Mater. Today: Proc 61 (2022) 327–331. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.09.522
18. [18]
  M.A. Shaida, S. Verma, S. Talukdar, et al., J. Mol. Liq. 374 (2023) 121259. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.121259
19. [19]
  J. Lu, Q. Lu, L. Di, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 34 (2023) 108357. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108357
20. [20]
  F. Amalina, A.S. Abd Razak, S. Krishnan, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. Adv. 7 (2022) 100134.
21. [21]
  S. Haghighi Mood, M.R. Pelaez-Samaniego, M. Garcia-Perez, Energ. Fuel. 36 (2022) 7940–7986. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c01201
22. [22]
  M. Sadatsharifi, M. Purgel, Struct. Chem. 35 (2024) 961–966. doi: 10.1007/s11224-024-02312-6
23. [23]
  M.S. Alenezi, Y.H. Tartor, M. El-Sherbini, et al., Antibiotics 13 (2024) 1073. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics13111073
24. [24]
  C. Li, A. Li, X. Hui, et al., Ecotoxi. Environ. Safe. 285 (2024) 117022. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117022
25. [25]
  C. Chi, Z. Liu, G. Wang, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 13 (2023) 2302055. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202302055
26. [26]
  S.S. Sahoo, V.K. Vijay, R. Chandra, et al., Clean. Eng. Technol. 3 (2021) 100101. doi: 10.1016/j.clet.2021.100101
27. [27]
  Y. Teng, X.D. Wang, J.F. Liao, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 28 (2018) 1802463. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201802463
28. [28]
  S. Zhang, H. Gao, Y. Huang, et al., Enviro. Sci. : Nano 5 (2018) 1179–1190. doi: 10.1039/C8EN00124C
29. [29]
  N. Song, B. Xi, P. Wang, et al., Nano Res. 15 (2022) 1424–1432. doi: 10.1007/s12274-021-3681-8
30. [30]
  M. Cao, X. Zhao, X. Gong, Small 18 (2022) 2106683. doi: 10.1002/smll.202106683
31. [31]
  G. Ye, S. Liu, K. Zhao, et al., Angew. Chem. 135 (2023) e202303409. doi: 10.1002/ange.202303409
32. [32]
  T.J. Frankcombe, Y. Liu, Chem. Mater. 35 (2023) 5468–5474. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c00801
33. [33]
  S. Yin, Y. Gao, L. Chen, et al., Sci. China. Technol. Sc. 67 (2024) 3103–3115. doi: 10.1007/s11431-024-2736-x
34. [34]
  S. Jiao, M. Liu, Y. Li, et al., Carbon 193 (2022) 339–355. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.03.047
35. [35]
  T. Zhang, Y. Wen, Z. Pan, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 56 (2022) 2617–2625. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06276
36. [36]
  J. Wu, J. Zou, J. Lin, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 58 (2024) 15741–15754. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09753
37. [37]
  C. Dai, S. Li, Y. Duan, et al., Water Res. 216 (2022) 118347. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118347
38. [38]
  X. Peng, Z. Fan, Q. Wang, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 345 (2024) 127365. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.127365
39. [39]
  L.V. de Faria, R.G. Rocha, L.C. Arantes, et al., Electrochim. Acta 429 (2022) 141002. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.141002
40. [40]
  Y. Liu, Y. Zhang, L. Zhang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 490 (2024) 151585. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.151585
41. [41]
  H. Zhao, Y. Ren, C. Liu, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 459 (2023) 132117. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132117
42. [42]
  F. Yu, C. Li, W. Li, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 34 (2024) 2307230. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202307230
43. [43]
  S. Li, Y. Yang, H. Zheng, et al., Water Res. 225 (2022) 119176. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119176
44. [44]
  G. Song, R. Gao, Z. Zhao, et al., Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 301 (2022) 120809. doi: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120809
45. [45]
  B.Y. Huang, L. Chen, M.W. Cao, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 330 (2024) 125539. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125539
46. [46]
  W. Yang, J. Yi, W. Sun, Macromol. Chem. Phys. 216 (2015) 1125–1133. doi: 10.1002/macp.201500028
1. [1]
  Wenrui Jia , Chenghuan Qiao , Dongfang Zhao , Juanshan Du , Yaohua Wu , Yongqi Liang , Qinglian Wu , Xiaochi Feng , Huazhe Wang , Wanqian Guo . Insight into nitrogen-doped biochar prepared from Chinese medicine compound residue for peracetic acid activation in sulfamethoxazole degradation: Electron transfer mechanism. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(11): 110886-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110886
2. [2]
  Chenghuan Qiao , Yaohua Wu , Yihong Chen , Chuchu Chen , Juanshan Du , Wenrui Jia , Yongqi Liang , Qinglian Wu , Huazhe Wang , Wan-Qian Guo . Chinese medicine residue-derived biochars for peracetic acid activation in sulfamethoxazole removal via non-radical pathways. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 111526-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111526
3. [3]
  Jinshuai Zheng , Junfeng Niu , Crispin Halsall , Yadi Guo , Peng Zhang , Linke Ge . New insights into transformation mechanisms for sulfate and chlorine radical-mediated degradation of sulfonamide and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110202-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110202
4. [4]
  Huazhe Wang , Chenghuan Qiao , Chuchu Chen , Bing Liu , Juanshan Du , Qinglian Wu , Xiaochi Feng , Shuyan Zhan , Wan-Qian Guo . Synergistic adsorption and singlet oxygenation of humic acid on alkali-activated biochar via peroxymonosulfate activation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110244-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110244
5. [5]
  Chong Liu , Nanthi Bolan , Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha , Hailong Wang , Paramasivan Balasubramanian , Pengyan Zhang , Xuan Cuong Nguyen , Fayong Li . Critical review of biochar for the removal of emerging inorganic pollutants from wastewater. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109960-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109960
6. [6]
  Dan-Ying Xing , Xiao-Dan Zhao , Chuan-Shu He , Bo Lai . Kinetic study and DFT calculation on the tetracycline abatement by peracetic acid. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109436-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109436
7. [7]
  Feng Xu , Yuqiu Liu , Shujiao Xu , Jinxin Zhang , Lei Liao , Jiguang Guo , Weiyu Jiang , Hongzhe Dong , Qinxue Wen , Zhiqiang Chen . Enhanced removal of methylisothiazolinone from high-salt wastewater by Sn-Sb-Ce/GAC particle electrode: Reactive species and efficiency. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 111332-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111332
8. [8]
  Yuxin Li , Chengbin Liu , Qiuju Li , Shun Mao . Fluorescence analysis of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistance genes in the environment: A mini review. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109541-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109541
9. [9]
  Zhiqiang Liu , Qiang Gao , Wei Shen , Meifeng Xu , Yunxin Li , Weilin Hou , Hai-Wei Shi , Yaozuo Yuan , Erwin Adams , Hian Kee Lee , Sheng Tang . Removal and fluorescence detection of antibiotics from wastewater by layered double oxides/metal-organic frameworks with different topological configurations. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(8): 109338-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109338
10. [10]
  Zhiling Du , Zhiqi Zhou , Nan Sun , Cailiang Yue , Fuqiang Liu . Pyromellitic diimide induced TiO₂ mesocrystals with oxygen vacancies for synergistic photocatalytic H₂O₂ production and antibiotics degradation. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 111341-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111341
11. [11]
  Haoyu Luo , Jinsong Chen , Mengfei Luo , Hui Ma , Shengyan Pu . Heterogeneous Fenton catalytic degradation of nitrobenzene by controlled-release nano calcium peroxide. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110367-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110367
12. [12]
  He Guo , Yongchun Wang , Junlei Wang , Shoufeng Tang , Tiecheng Wang . Review on application of non-thermal plasma for disinfection: Direct plasma and indirect plasma-activated water. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 111275-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111275
13. [13]
  Wan-Yin Gao , Xiao-Qiang Cao , Li-Fei Hou , Hao-Yun Lu , Zhao-Jing Zhu , Wen-Jia Kong , Yang Zhang , Yi-Zhen Zhang , Ya-Nan Shang , Xing Xu . Electron transfer chemistry triggered by silicon-doped carbon catalysts derived from natural minerals for the degradation of organic pollutants. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(1): 111095-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111095
14. [14]
  Xiaokang Hou , Huanxin Ma , Mengmeng Zhao , Chunhua Feng , Shishu Zhu . Unveiling role of Cu(Ⅱ) in photochemical transformation and reactive oxygen species production of schwertmannite in the presence of tartaric acid. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(7): 110332-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110332
15. [15]
  Zhongyu Wang , Lijun Wang , Huaixin Zhao . DNA-based nanosystems to generate reactive oxygen species for nanomedicine. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(11): 109637-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109637
16. [16]
  Qing Liu , Tangxin Xiao , Zhouyu Wang , Leyong Wang . Reactive oxygen species generation by organic materials for efficient photocatalysis. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 111504-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111504
17. [17]
  Bingkun Huang , Zelin Wu , Jing Zhang , Yanbiao Shi , Chuan-Shu He , Zhaokun Xiong , Bo Lai . Is the choice of quencher appropriate for exploring reactive oxygen species in advanced oxidation processes?. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(3): 111537-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111537
18. [18]
  Peiling Li , Qing Feng , Hongling Yuan , Qin Wang . Live Interview Recording about the Penicillin Family. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 122-127. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202311022
19. [19]
  Haitao Yin , Liang Meng , Li Li , Jiamu Xiao , Longrui Liang , Nannan Huang , Yansong Shi , Angang Zhao , Jingwen Hou . Polydopamine-modified biochar supported polylactic acid and zero-valent iron affects the functional microbial community structure for 1,1,1-trichloroethane removal in simulated groundwater. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 110313-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110313
20. [20]
  Ziheng Zhuang , Xiao Xu , Kin Shing Chan . Superdrugs for Superbugs. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 128-133. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309040

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(20)
HTML views(3)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142