Synthesis of a novel MMK/β‐CD‐A material and its tetracycline removal efficiency.

Background: As one of the modal antibiotics in life, the abuse of tetracycline (TC) caused great risks to the ecological environment and health. Cost‐effective removal method of TC in the medical wastewater was a developmental research direction with great potential. Results: In this work, a novel material, modified kaolin/β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) coated A (A is a special oxidant made from our laboratory, which is mainly composed of potassium ferrate) was synthesized and characterized. Meanwhile, the removal efficiencies and influencing factors of TC in novel material activation reaction systems were systematically studied. The specific surface area of modified kaolin (MMK) can reach up to 431.82 m2/g after acid and calcination modification. The results of SEM, TEM, XRD, and FT‐IR showed the significant increase in specific surface area of MMK was the complete destruction of kaolin structure and the leaching of aluminum. β‐CD was selected to coat A to attenuate the rapid release of A in water. The optimal coat molar ratio of β‐CD and A was 10: 1 (β‐CD:A). MMK/β‐CD‐A was used to treat the simulated TC wastewater, the removal efficiency was 95.6 % within 90 min when the concentration of TC was 0.22 mmol/L. The removal mechanism of TC with MMK/β‐CD‐A was the adsorption effect from MMK and the oxidation effect from β‐CD‐A. Conclusion: This work could provide useful information for developing a simple and effective technology to treat TC in medical wastewater. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]