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Degradation of Emerging Amoxicillin Compound from Water Using the Electro-Fenton Process with an Aluminum Anode

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Abstract

The removal efficiency of the emerging antibiotic waste, amoxicillin, from aqueous media was investigated using the electro-Fenton method with an aluminum anode through the one-factor-at-a-time method, and all the experiments were performed in a useful volume of 750 ml. While the optimum conditions were achieved, the removal kinetic of the contaminant from the environment was investigated. Optimal values of the process parameters including the concentration of the contaminant, process time, initial pH of the samples, electrolyte concentration, electrode distance, and the applied current density were determined as 100 mg.l−1, 90 min, neutral pH, 0.02 M Na2SO4, 5.5 cm, and 5.5 mA.cm−2, respectively. In order to find the optimum conditions, in addition to pollutant removal efficiency, energy consumption was also analyzed. The application of aluminum anodes was found to enhance the efficiency of the process in neutral pH (roughly 95% removal rate), which may be introduced as a potential solution for limitations of the conventional electro-Fenton process in degrading recalcitrant compounds such as amoxicillin. Finally, the obtained results were presented and discussed in detail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MSc of Environmental Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box, 14115-397, Tehran, Iran

    Behnam Nayebi

  2. Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box, 14115-397, Tehran, Iran

    Bita Ayati

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  1. Behnam Nayebi
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Highlights

- A commercially available aluminum plate was used as the anode for the electro-Fenton process.

- High decomposition rate of amoxicillin was achieved via relatively low-cost materials.

- A remarkable removal rate in neutral pH ranges was measured using the Al plate.

- Less energy was consumed compared to similar studies.

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Nayebi, B., Ayati, B. Degradation of Emerging Amoxicillin Compound from Water Using the Electro-Fenton Process with an Aluminum Anode. Water Conserv Sci Eng 6, 45–54 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-021-00101-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-021-00101-4

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