LAUSR

Abstract This study investigated the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) by activated persulfate with three-dimensional C@ZnCo2O4 (3D C@ZCO) under microwave irradiation. The 3D C@ZCO material was successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method. The morphology, microstructure, and microwave absorption properties were analysed by several characterization techniques. The effects of some influencing factors, such as the CIP concentration, persulfate dose, initial pH, 3D C@ZCO dose, and presence of organic matters and co-existing anions were researched in depth. The radical scavenger study document that SO4 −, OH, and O2− radicals are prominent in the 3D C@ZnCo2O4-activated persulfate under microwave irradiation process. Under the following conditions, [CIP] = 10 mg/L, [3D C@ZCO] = 1.5 g/L, [persulfate] = 0.25 mM, [pH]0 = 6.5, microwave = 600 W, and T = 40 °C, the removal of CIP reached 90%, and the total organic carbon removal ratio reached 73.14% after 40 min. Toxicity tests indicated the significance of exploring the toxicity of intermediate products. Several stable intermediate products were identified, and three degradation pathways were speculated for CIP degradation.