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Nafcillin degradation by heterogeneous electro-Fenton process using Fe, Cu and Fe/Cu nanoparticles
Sebastian Campos1, Ricardo Salazar1, Nicolás Arancibia-Miranda2
1Laboratorio de Electroquímica del Medio Ambiente, LEQMA, Departamento de Química de los Materiales, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, USACH, Casilla 40, C.P. 33, Av. Libertador Bernardo ÓHiggins, 3363, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile.
Heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) using iron/copper nanoparticles efficiently degrades Nafcillin. This advanced oxidation process offers a rapid and effective method for removing antibiotics from wastewater.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Water Treatment Technologies
Background:
- Conventional electro-Fenton (EF) uses soluble catalysts, posing separation challenges.
- Heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) utilizes solid catalysts for easier recovery and wider pH applicability.
- Nafcillin (NAF) is a widely used antibiotic, and its removal from wastewater is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize Fe, Cu, and Fe/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs).
- To evaluate the efficacy of HEF using these NPs for Nafcillin degradation.
- To compare HEF with adsorption and anodic oxidation (AO-H2O2) processes for NAF removal.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of Fe/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles.
- Application of HEF process using Fe/Cu NPs for Nafcillin degradation in aqueous solutions.
- Investigation of adsorption and AO-H2O2 processes as controls.
- Identification of organic intermediates and proposal of a degradation pathway.
Main Results:
- HEF with Fe/Cu NPs completely removed Nafcillin in 7.0 minutes, significantly faster than adsorption (<24% removal) or AO-H2O2 (240 min).
- Mineralization of Nafcillin reached 41% after 240 minutes using HEF with Fe/Cu NPs.
- Nafcillin was completely eliminated from slaughterhouse wastewater within 15 minutes using HEF and Fe/Cu NPs.
- Degradation primarily occurs via hydroxyl radical generation and Fenton reactions involving Fe and Cu NPs.
Conclusions:
- Fe/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles are highly effective catalysts for Nafcillin degradation via HEF.
- HEF offers a superior alternative to conventional EF, adsorption, and AO-H2O2 for antibiotic wastewater treatment.
- The proposed degradation pathway provides insights into the mechanism of Nafcillin removal.
