Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Cu2+ activated persulfate for sulfamethazine degradation
Chuang Fu1, Xianliang Yi1, Yang Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, China.
This study demonstrates that copper ions (Cu2+) effectively activate persulfate (PS) to degrade sulfamethazine (SMZ), a common veterinary antibiotic. The Cu2+-PS system offers a promising advanced oxidation process for removing sulfonamide antibiotics from the environment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Advanced Oxidation Processes
Background:
- Sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) are prevalent in veterinary medicine and pose risks to human health due to poor metabolism and promotion of antibiotic resistance.
- Persulfate (PS)-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are explored for SA degradation, but the use of transition metal activators remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a copper ion (Cu2+)-activated persulfate (PS) system for the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMZ), a model SA.
- To investigate the influence of various water matrix components on the degradation process and identify the active species involved.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Cu2+-activated PS system for SMZ degradation, testing different concentrations and reaction times.
- Assessed the impact of anions, cations, humic acid, and protein on SMZ removal efficiency.
- Employed radical and singlet oxygen quenching experiments, electron spin-resonance spectroscopy (ESR), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) to identify active species and degradation pathways.
Main Results:
- The Cu2+-PS system demonstrated superior SMZ removal compared to other metal ions, degrading 25 mg/L SMZ within 120 minutes with optimal catalyst and oxidant concentrations.
- Various anions showed inhibitory effects, while Fe3+ inhibited and Ni2+ enhanced SMZ removal. Humic acid and protein increased degradation rates.
- Electron spin-resonance spectroscopy confirmed sulfate radical (SO4·−) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) as the primary active species. Degradation pathway analysis suggested complex formation between Cu2+ and SMZ influenced the fate of SMZ.
Conclusions:
- The Cu2+-activated PS system is an effective and facile method for removing SMZ and potentially other sulfonamide antibiotics.
- Understanding the role of water matrix components and the complexation effects is crucial for optimizing AOPs in real-world applications.
More Related Videos
09:12[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst
Published on: May 21, 2019
10:42Preparation of N-2-alkoxyvinylsulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Phase II Reactions: Sulfation and Conjugation with α-Amino Acids
Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions
Sulfur Assimilation
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols