Peroxydisulfate Activation by Synergized Modified AgCuFeO@GO Nanoparticle Electrode with Anchored MnO in Cefixime Three-dimensional Electrochemical Degradation: Optimization and Mechanisms

Cefixime (CFX) is a potent antibiotic against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria that resists degradation and typical removal procedures. This research aimed to synthesize a modified AgCuFeO@GO nanoparticle electrode with anchored MnO for removing CFX by three-dimensional electrochemical oxidation. The physical and chemical characteristics of the nanocomposite were evaluated using various techniques, including FESEM, XRD, EDS-mapping, FTIR, BET, VSM, and TGA. The analysis found that the AgCuFeO@GO with anchored MnO nanoparticle electrode has a large specific surface area, acceptable crystal structure, good magnetic characteristics, and a quasi-spherical form. At pH 5, 40 mg/L of CFX concentration, 0.4 g/L of the nanocomposite, 3 cm of electrode interval, 0.12 mM of persulfate electrolyte, and 12.5 mA/cm of current density for 40 min, the process reached removal effectiveness of 97.1% for the synthetic sample and 90.7% removal efficiency for the actual sample, while had rate mineralization of 61.8% and 241.1 kWh/g energy consumption. Pseudo-first-order (R = 0.997) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (R = 0.769) kinetic experiments provided values of K = 7.788 mg/L.min and K = 0.011 L/mg, respectively, confirming conformity to these models. The adsorption isotherms demonstrated that the CFX antibiotic complies with the Temkin model with an R of 0.959. The particle electrode eliminated 86.1% of the contaminant over five cycles of regeneration and recovery, showcasing outstanding chemical stability. Throughout this process, persulfate functioned as both an oxidizing agent and an electrolyte, so amplifying the production of active radicals that degrade the pollutant and improve removal efficiency. Due to its magnetic properties, chemical stability, reusability, and high efficiency, modified AgCuFeO@GO with anchored MnO is suggested for purifying industrial and medicinal wastewater.