Catalytic degradation of ranitidine using novel magnetic Ti3C2-based MXene nanosheets modified with nanoscale zero-valent iron particles

Abstract Magnetic nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI)@Ti3C2-based MXene nanosheets were synthesized via an in-situ reductive deposition method, and were characterized as a novel Fenton-like catalyst for ranitidine degradation. The vast majority of ranitidine was found to be mineralized after 30 min of reaction time with 91.1% of removal efficiency and the removal of 63.3% of total organic carbon (TOC). Results showed that the nZVI@Ti3C2-based MXene nanosheets had a synergistic effect enhancing the catalyst chemical reactivity and stability. In particular, Ti3C2-based MXene was found to restrain the agglomeration of nZVI particles (nZVIPs) and promote electron transfer between magnetic particles with a diameter of approximately 10-40 nm. Ranitidine molecules were decomposed mainly by hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) attack especially the surface-bound ∙OHads. This study provided a completely new insight into the mode of surface inactivation of nZVIPs under different solution pH conditions, establishing that this novel catalyst was suitable for use under a wide pH range.