Abstract

CdS and Cd-deficient CdS (D-CdS) were prepared using a simple hydrothermal method. Pristine CdS exhibited slow electron transfer and limited active sites in periodate (PI) activation, while Cd vacancy defect engineering proposed in this work effectively overcame these drawbacks. The optimal Cd-deficient D-CdS8 could effectively activate PI and exhibit excellent degradation performance toward tetracycline (TC). Within 90 min, the D-CdS8/PI system could achieve 92.3% removal of 10 mg L−1 TC. This study systematically explores the influences of different factors and coexisting substances on TC degradation. Radical quenching experiments revealed that IO3· and ·OH were the dominant reactive species for TC degradation in D-CdS8/PI system. Electrochemical characterization indicated that the introduction of Cd vacancies made D-CdS8 possess higher electron transfer efficiency. The D-CdS8/PI system achieved enhanced PI activation and improved TC degradation, with reaction rates 2.15 times superior to the CdS/PI system. Furthermore, degradation pathways and toxicological analysis of intermediates for TC degradation were also conducted. This study provided a simple and feasible strategy for developing efficient defective catalysts for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water.

IPC Classification

Keywords