The overuse of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections is a significant threat to the environment and human health. The utilization of visible-light-assisted peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation for eliminating organic pollutants is a promising approach. This study uses a straightforward hydrothermal method to prepare magnetically recyclable spherical CuO@FeO. The efficacy of this material in removing antibiotic pollutants was assessed using simulated wastewater containing tetracycline (TC). TC removal was achieved by activating PDS with CuO@FeO as the visible light photocatalyst. Experimental findings revealed that under specific conditions-a pH of 9, a CuO@FeO concentration of 60 mg L, and a PDS concentration of 25 mg L-the removal rate of TC reached 97.67% after 30 min of irradiation. Moreover, CuO@FeO exhibited excellent recyclability, maintaining a removal rate of 93.33% after five recycling rounds. X-ray diffraction characterization of the CuO@FeO composite before and after cycling confirmed its robust stability and reusability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that electrons migrated from FeO to CuO during the photocatalytic reaction, indicating the formation of an S-type heterojunction in CuO@FeO. Free radical trapping experiments demonstrated the active involvement of ·OH, ·O , SO˙ and h radicals in TC removal.