Heterogeneous fenton-like degradation of ofloxacin over sludge derived carbon as catalysts: Mechanism and performance

Abstract

In this study, heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation of ofloxacin (OFX) was investigated by sludge derived carbon (SC). The effects of SC catalyst, temperature and pH on the efficiency of ofloxacin degradation were investigated. SC treated with sulfuric acid (SC-H2SO4) performed high catalytic activity, indicating that sulfate group produced low pH of the surface and was beneficial for heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation. The removal of ofloxacin and TOC was 91.5% and 62.3%, respectively, after 180 min adsorption and 540 min oxidation, at pH 6 and a dosage of 138 mg L−1 H2O2. It was found that OFX conversion increased with the decrease of pH and OFX was degraded under the wide range of pH (3–6) by SC-H2SO4. These promising results clearly demonstrate the potential of the heterogeneous Fenton-like process for the effective degradation of ofloxacin by SC-H2SO4. Based on intermediated products identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, a possible OFX oxidation pathway in Fenton-like reaction was proposed.