Levofloxacin degradation in electro‐Fenton system with Fe@Co/GF composite cathode

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDElements of transition metals have a distinct non‐nuclear electronic structure, and modifying electrodes with transition metals can increase electrocatalytic activity. Due to its low cost and high electrical conductivity, graphite felt (GF) is frequently used as the carbon base material for modified electrodes. GF was treated with KOH and subsequently loaded with the bimetal Fe and Co to create a cathode (Fe@Co/GF) with enhanced catalytic activity in this study.RESULTSUnder optimal experimental conditions (initial levofloxacin (LEV) concentration of 30 mg L−1, electric voltage of 8 V, GF thickness of 3 mm, an aeration rate of 3 4.5 L min−1, Na2SO4 concentration of 0.05 mol L−1, initial Fe2+ concentration of 0.1 mmol L−1, initial pH of 3, KOH activation temperature of 900 °C and Fe@Co ratio of 1:3), the LEV elimination rate was 90.38% and the mineralization rate was 88.53% within 160 min. Compared to the GF cathode, both the total LEV degradation rate and the total mineralization rate increased by approximately 20%. When Fe@Co/GF was used as the cathode in an electro‐Fenton (EF) system without an applied iron source, the Fenton reaction could still occur. In addition, Fe@Co/GF also promoted the degradation of ciprofloxacin in the EF system.CONCLUSIONAccording to morphological and other statistical data, the modified cathode has a larger specific surface area, larger pores and a greater number of active sites. Electrochemical performance measurements indicate that the modified cathode is more responsive to current. Fe@Co/GF cathode was simple to prepare and contributed significantly to the LEV removal process when used as the cathode in an EF system, thereby decreasing the LEV degradation time. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).