Electrocatalytic Degradation of Levofloxacin, a Typical Antibiotic in Hospital Wastewater

Abstract

Presently, in the context of the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, several antibiotics are overused in hospitals, causing heavy pressure on the hospital’s wastewater treatment process. Therefore, developing stable, safe, and efficient hospital wastewater treatment equipment is crucial. Herein, a bench-scale electrooxidation equipment for hospital wastewater was used to evaluate the removal effect of the main antibiotic levofloxacin (LVX) in hospital wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM). During the degradation process, the influence of the following five factors on total organic carbon (TOC) removal was discussed and the best reaction condition was obtained: current density, initial pH, flow rate, chloride ion concentration, and reaction time of 39.6 A/m2, 6.5, 50 mL/min, 4‰, and 120 min, respectively. The TOC removal could reach 41% after a reaction time of 120 min, which was consistent with the result predicted by the response surface (40.48%). Moreover, the morphology and properties of the electrode were analyzed. The degradation pathway of LVX was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Subsequently, the bench-scale electrooxidation equipment was changed into onboard-scale electrooxidation equipment, and the onboard-scale equipment was promoted to several hospitals in Dalian.

Construction of a Zero‐gap Flow‐Through Microfluidic Reactor with Porous RuO2‐IrO2@Pt Anode for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Antibiotics in Water

“…[21] Furthermore, with the increase of NaCl concentration, the electron transfer efficiency was improved, and more active chlorine was produced, which accelerated the reaction process. [22][23]…”

The Elimination of Levofloxacin from High-Salinity Wastewater via the Electrochlorination Process

“…People are becoming more dependent on the use of antibiotics, and the application of antibiotics in various fields, such as medical care and animal husbandry, among others, has become increasingly extensive. Fluoroquinolones (FQs), including levofloxacin (LEV), moxifloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin [4], are highly concentrated in the environment [5] and pose a high risk to both ecosystems and public health [6]. Among them, levofloxacin (LEV) is widely overused as an anti-inflammatory agent and is discharged into the environment mainly through the effluent of wastewater treatment plants [7].…”

Degradation of Levofloxacin by Electroactivated Sodium Persulfate on Carbon Cloth Cathode Modified with Cerium-Based Metal Organic Frameworks (Ce-MOF) Derivatives

“…Levofloxacin (LFX) is a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic, mainly used to treat pneumonia, urinary tract infections, acute pyelonephritis, and skin and soft tissue infections [1]. However, LFX is difficult to absorb and decompose after entering the human body or animal body, which would enter surface water through medical wastewater and other routes, leading to the production of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant genes, and then cause ecological imbalance and pose a threat to human health [2].…”

“…•− offers several advantages [8][9][10]: (1) greater oxidation potential with a standard oxidation potential of 2.5-3.1 V; (2) its oxidation principle is similar to the hydroxyl radical, showing higher stability and being more conducive to the complete removal of organic pollutants; and (3) it is less affected by the water samples in nature and the scope of application is wider. As a result, persulfate advanced oxidation technology has gained widespread attention among researchers.…”