Continuous flow photo-Fenton treatment of ciprofloxacin in aqueous solutions using homogeneous and magnetically recoverable catalysts

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Oct;21(19):11116-25. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-2515-6. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

The degradation of ciprofloxacin was studied in aqueous solutions by using a continuous flow homogeneous photo-Fenton process under simulated solar light. The effect of different operating conditions on the degradation of ciprofloxacin was investigated by changing the hydrogen peroxide (0-2.50 mM) and iron(II) sulphate (0-10 mg Fe L(-1)) concentrations, as well as the pH (2.8-10), irradiance (0-750 W m(-2)) and residence time (0.13-3.4 min) of the process. As expected, the highest catalytic activity in steady state conditions was achieved at acidic pH (2.8), namely 85 % of ciprofloxacin conversion, when maintaining the other variables constant (i.e. 2.0 mg L(-1) of iron(II), 2.50 mM of hydrogen peroxide, 1.8 min of residence time and 500 W m(-2) of irradiance). Additionally, magnetite magnetic nanoparticles (ca. 20 nm of average particle size) were synthesized, characterized and tested as a possible catalyst for this reaction. In this case, the highest catalytic activity was achieved at natural pH, namely a 55 % average conversion of ciprofloxacin in 1.8 min of residence time and under 500 W m(-2). Some of the photocatalytic activity was attributed to Fe(2+) leaching from the magnetic nanoparticles to the solution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Ciprofloxacin / chemistry*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Photolysis*
  • Sunlight
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Fenton's reagent
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron