Performance of Catalytic Ozonation by Fe/MgO Nanoparticle for Degradation of Cefazolin from Aqueous Environments

Background and Conventional treatment processes do not have good efficiency in degradation and removal of antibiotics from aqueous environments, therefore, using advanced oxidation processes seems to be necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of catalytic ozonation for degradation of cefazolin from aqueous environments and the effect of various parameters on the performance of this process. In this experimental study after applying the process, the effect of different parameters were measured including pH (2-10), initial concentration of cefazolin (5-45 mg/L), catalyst dose (0.25-1 gr/L), ozone concentrations (1-5 mg/L.min), TBA concentration (0. 2mg/L) as a radical scavenger, the synergistic effect of the parameters, and reducing COD and TOC. Cefazolin concentrations and COD levels were measured by a spectrophotometer after the process and TOC was measured by TOC analyzer. Then the SEM images, BET analysis of nanoparticles, and XRD were prepared. The optimum condition for the highest efficacy of the process was found to be pH 8, catalyst dose 0.5 gr/L, O3 concentration 5 mg/L.min and cefazolin concentration 5 mg/L. At this optimal condition the efficiency of process was 92.01%. In presence of TBA, the efficiency of process reduced. The efficiency of process in COD and TOC removal was 55% and 42%, respectively. The results showed that the process conducted in this study was useful in degradation and mineralization of cefazolin, and can be used in treatment of wastewater containing pollutants. One of the main features of this process is that it does not produce sludge and by-products. Removal of COD and TOC needs more reaction time.