Efficient degradation of clofibric acid by heterogeneous catalytic ozonation using CoFe2O4 catalyst in water

Chun Cai; Xiaodi Duan; Xianjun Xie; Shuping Kang; Chanjuan Liao; Jiaming Dong; Yangfan Liu; Shaofeng Xiang; Dionysios D Dionysiou

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124604

Efficient degradation of clofibric acid by heterogeneous catalytic ozonation using CoFe₂O₄ catalyst in water

J Hazard Mater. 2021 May 15:410:124604. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124604. Epub 2020 Nov 18.

Authors

Chun Cai¹, Xiaodi Duan², Xianjun Xie³, Shuping Kang³, Chanjuan Liao⁴, Jiaming Dong³, Yangfan Liu³, Shaofeng Xiang³, Dionysios D Dionysiou⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental Studies, Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Systematic Water Pollution Control, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Environmental Engineering and Science Program, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, United States.
² Environmental Engineering and Science Program, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, United States.
³ School of Environmental Studies, Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Systematic Water Pollution Control, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
⁴ College of Resources & Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
⁵ Environmental Engineering and Science Program, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, United States. Electronic address: dionysios.d.dionysiou@uc.edu.

PMID: 33277078
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124604

Abstract

CoFe₂O₄ (Cobalt ferrite, CF) nanoparticles were prepared, well characterized and applied as efficient solid catalyst in catalytic ozonation, named CF/O₃ process, for the removal of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). The degradation and mineralization of clofibric acid (CA) in CF/O₃ process were dramatically enhanced in comparison with those under the O₃ system. Surface hydroxyl groups (HGs) were considered as an important factor for ozone decomposition and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the catalyst surface were mainly responsible for CA elimination. The contribution and formation of ROS, including hydroxyl radicals (^•OH), especially superoxide radicals (O₂^•-), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were evaluated, and a rational mechanism was elucidated accordingly. Probable degradation pathway of CA was proposed according to the organic intermediates identified. The acute toxicity of the treated solution increased during the first 15 min and then declined rapidly and nearly disappeared as the reaction proceeded. In addition, acceptable catalytic performance of CF/O₃ can be obtained for the treatment of other EOCs and the treatment of natural surface water spiked with CA. This work presents an efficient and promising catalytic ozonation technique for the elimination of EOCs in complex water matrices.

Keywords: Catalytic ozonation; Cobalt ferrite; Emerging organic contaminants; Mineralization; Reaction mechanism.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't