Removal of Amitraz insecticide by heterogeneousUV-Fentonprocess using metals supported on chitosan beads as a catalyst

Photocatalytic degradation of Amitraz insecticide in a heterogeneous phase was studied at neutral pH using several types of metals supported on chitosan beads (Fe-CS, Fe3O4-CS, Mn-CS, MnO2-CS, and TiO2-CS). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) analysis were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. Parameters, including the type of catalyst, UV irradiation, the method of hydrogen peroxide addition, and the presence of dissolved oxygen were investigated in order to evaluate the performance of the heterogeneous Fenton process. The optimal conditions were achieved when using 1 g L(-1)of Fe3O4-CS catalyst under UV irradiation with the sequential addition of 12 mM of H(2)O(2)and a continuous bubbling of air in the reactional medium. The degradation of the pollutant follows a pseudo-first-order kinetic. The catalyst stability was evaluated and confirmed in four repeated runs with a control of the amount of leached iron in the aqueous solution.