Highly synergetic effect for norfloxacin degradation by coupling underwater bubble plasma formation with a Fe (III)–S (IV) system

Antibiotics are widely used to treat or prevent infectious diseases in human and veterinary medicine. Excessive residues in the aquatic environment lead to increasingly prominent antibiotic pollution; therefore, it is urgent to develop sustainable strategies for rapidly degrading antibiotics. In this study, a highly synergetic effect for norfloxacin (NOR) remediation is achieved by coupling underwater bubble plasma formation with a Fe (III)–S (IV) system due to the efficient utilization of reactive species in chain reactions. The degradation rate using synergetic approach can reach 76.4% within 50 min discharge, and further increases significantly to 94.4% after 5 h post-discharge. The effects of pulsed peak voltage and Fe (III)/S (IV) dosage on NOR removal are characterized. The existence of hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) are proved by electron spin resonance spectrometer (ESR) during degradation. Furthermore, radical scavenger experiments demonstrate that ^•OH and SO₄^•− play a crucial role in degradation. Underwater bubble plasma provides the oxic and acidic liquid environment for the Fe (III)–S (IV) system to accelerate the self-perpetuating chain reactions. These reactions not only introduce SO₄^•− and generate more ^•OH during plasma-on, but also induce their regeneration and further prolong the degradation process during plasma-off through plasma-generated effects. Finally, the degradation intermediates of NOR are identified, and a possible degradation pathway is proposed. The possible contribution weight of each approach on the degradation rate is speculated. These new findings offer promising applications for developing a technology with real potential for the treatment of organic compounds in industrial wastewater treatment.