Degradation of sulfamethazine antibiotics in Fenton‐like system using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as catalyst

In this study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized, characterized and used for the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT). The results showed that Fe3O4 MNPs were efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic for SMT degradation in a Fenton-like system. More than 80% of the SMT was degraded under optimal conditions: initial pH of 3.0, 20 mM of H2O2, Fe3O4 MNPs dose of 1.0 g/L, and initial concentration of SMT 20 mg/L (initial total organic carbon: 10.4 mg/L). Among the parameters that affect SMT degradation, initial pH is of crucial importance to degrade SMT in the Fenton-like system. A possible pathway of SMT degradation was proposed based on detected products in the solution. The Fe3O4 MNPs exhibited high stability and reusability. The SMT removal remained at 80% over five runs with the catalyst. Slight agglomeration and dissolution of Fe3O4 MNPs after reactions were observed by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The SMT removal and mineralization could be enhanced using Fe3O4 MNPs/powder-activated carbon (PAC) composite as catalyst. The removal efficiency of SMT and TOC increased to 94.7% and 80.8% in optimal conditions, respectively, in Fenton-like system catalyzed by Fe3O4 MNPs/PAC composite. (c) 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1743-1753, 2017