• FeVO4 nanorods decorated on natural sepiolite via hydrothermal method exhibit enhanced PMS activation for tetracycline degradation, achieving 91.19% removal within 40 min.
• The composite leverages synergistic redox cycles (Fe3+/Fe2+ and V5+/V4+) and abundant surface hydroxyl groups, leading to a reaction rate constant of 0.1649 min−1.
• Singlet oxygen (1O2) is identified as the dominant reactive species, with both radical and non-radical pathways contributing to degradation.
• The catalyst demonstrates good stability and reusability, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for antibiotic wastewater remediation.