Magnetic MIL(Fe)-type MOF-derived N-doped nano-ZVI@C rods as heterogeneous catalyst for the electro-Fenton degradation of gemfibrozil in a complex aqueous matrix.

• Successful heterogeneous EF process at mild pH using MIL-88B-derived catalysts. • Magnetic N-doped nano-ZVI@C rods by pyrolysis: high activity, stability and recyclability. • Almost overall gemfibrozil degradation in raw urban wastewater with several pollutants. • Identification of 6 aromatic and 6 aliphatic products upon gemfibrozil degradation. • ZVI promoted continuous conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II): heterogeneous Fenton's reaction. The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as suspended heterogeneous catalysts in electro-Fenton (EF) process for water treatment is almost inexistent. Fe-MOFs synthesized from phthalic acid-based linkers were spindle-shaped MIL(Fe)-88B and NH 2 -MIL(Fe)-88B crystals, whereas their calcination yielded nano-ZVI@C and nano-ZVI@C-N. The lipid regulator gemfibrozil was spiked into 0.050 M Na 2 SO 4 solutions or urban wastewater and treated in electrolytic cells with an air-diffusion cathode to generate H 2 O 2. The nano-ZVI@C-N catalyst obtained at 800 °C showed the highest activity, with high stability as deduced from the low iron leaching and high recyclability. Almost total drug removal and significant mineralization was feasible in both matrices at near-neutral pH. The presence of core-shell nano-ZVI and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped fusiform porous carbon rods was revealed, ensuring the Fe(III) conversion to Fe(II). Carbon doping with N contributed to the enhanced catalytic activity, and the strong magnetism facilitated the post-treatment catalyst recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]