Comparison of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes for removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of two dimensional electrochemical (2DE), electro-Fenton (EF), three dimensional electrochemical (3DE) and three dimensional electro-Fenton (3DEF) processes in removal ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous solutions. The central composite design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effect of experimental parameters on the removal efficiency of CIP by various electrochemical processes. The results showed that obtained quadratic model had a high R-squared coefficient based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum condition for the removal of CIP by the studied processes was pH of 3, current of 0.45 A, and electrolysis time of 60 min. The results of the comparison between the processes showed that the removal efficiency of CIP after 60 min of electrolysis time is reduced as follows: 3DEF>3DE>EF>2DE. The removal efficiency enhancement was attributed to much more hydroxyl radicals generated in the three dimensional (3D) processes because single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) could activate molecular oxygen to produce more H 2 O 2 . These results showed that 3D systems, especially 3DEF, could be considered as an appropriate method for the treatment of persistent pollutants such as antibiotics due to good electro-catalytic activity, high efficiency, no secondary pollution.

Optimization of the 3D electro‐Fenton process in removal of acid orange 10 from aqueous solutions by response surface methodology

“…This clearly shows the presence of PbO 2 with diffraction peaks at 29.52°, 37.26°, 57.65° and 73.78°. Similar results are observed by Saratale et al and Pourzamani et al for the electrochemical degradation of organics by Ti/PbO 2 anode electrode.…”

Pressurized electro-Fenton for the reduction of the environmental impact of antibiotics

“…During last decade, Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) have demonstrated their readiness to reach high efficiencies in the degradation of organic compounds, including antibiotics and other pharmaceutics in different aqueous matrixes [3][4][5]. Among EAOPs, EF process is one of the most effective technologies for achieving fast and complete degradation of target organic pollutants in water [6][7][8].…”