Application of the Electro-Fenton Process Including Fe+2 and Fe+3 Heterogeneous Catalysts to Remove Ciprofloxacin from Aqueous Solutions

Ciprofloxacin is an emerging and degradable pollutant that cannot be efficiently removed by common water and wastewater treatment processes. Electro-Fenton process is one of the most effective processes for the treatment of these compounds. Hence, the present study aimed to remove ciprofloxacin by Electro-Fenton method with heterogeneous catalysts, Fe+2 and Fe+3.

In this laboratory study, a reactor with 250 ml capacity, containing two mesh stainless steel (1×8cm) with a spacing of 2 centimeters, was used to remove ciprofloxacin. The effect of different factors such as ciprofloxacin concentration, current density, catalyst concentration and reaction time were investigated. Sampling was performed using spectrophotometer at 275 nm. One-factor method was used to design the experiments.

The highest removal rate of ciprofloxacin in the presence of two iron sources, magnetite nanoparticles and iron sulfate, under optimal initial concentration of ciprofloxacin 20 mg/L, catalyst concentration=1 g/L, current density=120 mA, hydrogen peroxide concentration=100 mg/L, contact time= 45 minutes and pH=3 were 97.89 % and 99.99%, respectively.

The results showed that Electro-Fenton process can remove ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions, but it is recommended to use magnetite nanoparticles as iron sources due to recycling and reuse possibility of nanoparticles.