Chinese researchers increase efficiency of antibiotics degradation in water

Chinese researchers have developed a nanoscale catalyst to increase the efficiency of antibiotic degradation in water.

As humans or animals often cannot completely absorb antibiotics, antibiotics are often released into the environment. The presence of antibiotics in water has attracted global concern as it aggravates the antibiotic resistance issue.

The Fenton system is one of the most popular methods for eliminating antibiotics in water, but the existing Fenton system is limited in practical applications as the Fenton reaction needs to function under strong acid conditions.

Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have designed a nanoscale catalyst that could be applied in the Fenton system.

The catalyst proves effective in improving the Fenton system's efficiency for the degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline. The catalyst also broadened the pH application range of the Fenton system.

The research has practical applications in water treatment. It was published in the journal Nanoscale.