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Catalytic potential of CuFe2O4/GO for activation of peroxymonosulfate in metronidazole degradation: study of mechanisms

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Abstract

Application of magnetite nanoparticles (CuFe2O4/GO) were anchored on graphene oxide (GO), as a Heterogeneous nanocomposite for activating of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) into Metronidazole (MNZ) destruction. The effect of solution pH, reaction time, effectiveness of water matrix components and trapping factors, different catalyst concentrations, PMS and contaminants were evaluated as operating factors on the efficiency of MNZ degradation. Also, mineralization, stability, reactivity and Recycling tests of the catalyst, and the degradation kinetics were performed. MNZ degradation and mineralization were obtained under optimal conditions (0.2 g/L catalyst, pH = 5, 30 mg/L MNZ and 2 mM PMS), 100% and 41.02%, respectively over 120 min. Leaching of Fe and Cu was found <0.2 mg/L for CuFe2O4/GO showed a high stability of catalyst, and a significant recyclability was achieved CuFe2O4/GO within 5 times consecutive use. MNZ degradation affected by anions was reduced as follows: HCO3− > NO3− > Cl− > SO42−. The experimental data were very good agreement with pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and during quenching tests SO4•- radicals played a dominant role in the degradation process of MNZ. As a result, the CuFe2O4/GO/PMS system can be described as a promising activation of PMS in MNZ degradation, due to its high stability, reusability and good catalyst reactivity, and the production of reactive species simultaneously.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this study is provided by 32659 project number from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Roghayeh Noroozi, Mitra Gholami, Mahdi Farzadkia & Ahmad Jonidi Jafari

  2. Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mitra Gholami, Mahdi Farzadkia & Ahmad Jonidi Jafari

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  1. Roghayeh Noroozi
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  2. Mitra Gholami
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Correspondence to Mitra Gholami.

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Noroozi, R., Gholami, M., Farzadkia, M. et al. Catalytic potential of CuFe2O4/GO for activation of peroxymonosulfate in metronidazole degradation: study of mechanisms. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 18, 947–960 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-020-00518-4

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