MOF-derived FeMnCo-O4@cellulose aerogel: A synergistic breakthrough in tetracycline degradation.

The persistent contamination of aquatic systems by antibiotics necessitates advanced catalytic solutions. This work reports a high-efficiency composite comprising spinel-phase trimetallic oxides (Fe3O4/Mn3O4/Co3O4) derived from Trimetallic MOF precursor, embedded in a cellulose aerogel (CA) matrix (FeMnCo-O4@CA), for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Under optimized conditions, the catalyst achieves 99.8 % tetracycline (TC) degradation within 15 min. With a mineralization efficiency of >90 %. Synergistic radical (SO4•-, •OH and O2•-) and non-radical (1O2) pathways dominate TC oxidation, driven by mixed-valence redox cycling (Fe2+/Fe3+, Mn2+/Mn3+, Co2+/Co3+) intrinsic to the spinel structure. The cellulose aerogel serves as a multifunctional support: enhancing metal oxides dispersion, improving interfacial electron transfer and facilitating mass transport-while stabilizing the catalyst for reuse (~85 % activity retention over 10 cycles). This study highlights the dual advantage of integrating spinel trimetallic oxides with biopolymer aerogels: enabling high-efficiency PMS activation and sustainable water treatment.