Enrofloxacin oxidative degradation facilitated by metal oxide nanoparticles

The activity of copper oxide, titanium carbide and silicon nitride nanoparticles for the oxidative degradation of environmentally relevant concentrations (μg L−1 range) of enrofloxacin – an important veterinary antibiotic drug – in aqueous solutions was investigated. With hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative agent, both copper oxide and titanium carbide decrease the concentration of enrofloxacin by more than 90% over 12 h. Addition of sodium halide salts strongly increases the reaction rate of copper oxide nanoparticles. The mechanism for the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) was investigated by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► CuO, TiC nanoparticles show catalytic enrofloxacin degradation in aqueous solution. ► No byproducts were detected for the degradation of enrofloxacin. ► Sodium halide salts accelerate the reaction of CuO nanoparticles. ► Formation of reactive oxygen species was demonstrated by ESR study.