Fe^IIFe^III layered double hydroxide modified carbon felt cathode for removal of ciprofloxacin in electro-Fenton...

The disadvantages of limited working pH range and poor stability have hindered the practical application of traditional electro-Fenton process. In this research, a novel heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) process with Fe^IIFe^III layered double hydroxide/carbon felt (Fe^IIFe^III LDH/CF) as cathode was developed for the rapid destruction of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in bulk solution. Effects of crucial influencing factors (initial pH, current intensity) on CIP degradation were investigated. Results indicated that Fe^IIFe^III LDH/CF cathode was efficient for CIP degradation (88.11%). Furthermore, CIP degradation performance in HEF could remain stable over wide range of pH (pH 3-9). The catalytic degradation of CIP in HEF process might be a combined effect of homogeneous EF reaction, anodic oxidation, and surface catalysis process via≡Fe^II/≡Fe^III cycle. Possible degradation pathways were proposed. The results suggested that Fe^IIFe^III LDH/CF cathode showed great application potential for CIP degradation.