Fenton-like catalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) was studied by using ferro–ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles coated on activated carbon (AC@Fe3O4) which acts as a peroxidase mimetic and persulfate (PS) as a green oxidant. Adsorption and degradation experiments were carried out in a batch system as functions of pH, PS, catalyst and TC concentrations. Kinetic and pathway of TC degradation by AC@Fe3O4/PS system was also investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the removal efficiency of TC and total organic carbon (TOC) were 99.8 and 50.6%, respectively. AC@Fe3O4 retained its activity and degradation efficiency remained even after five concessive cycles of use.