Potential of ammonium chloride-activated carbon for decomposition of penicillin G by catalytic ozonation process (COP)

Abstract

Pharmaceutical compounds that enter the aqueous solution are classified as emerging pollutants. The aim of this study was to use a single adsorption process (adsorption/AC), single ozonation process (SOP), and catalytic ozonation processes (COPs) with activated carbon obtained from Calligonum comosum as novel advanced oxidation processes to decomposition and mineralization of penicillin G from pollutant waters. The influence of important parameters including solution pH (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10), contact time (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 min), catalyst dosage (0.025–0.1 g/L), and initial PG concentration (25–100 mg/L) was examined on the efficiency of COP in degradation and mineralization of penicillin G in aqueous solution. The BET results indicated that the surface area of the activated carbon catalyst was1473 m2/g. The efficiency of adsorption/AC, SOP, and COP/AC in penicillin G decomposition at a pH of 10 was 11.17%, 33.6%, and 85%, respectively. The efficiency of COP/AC increased to 100% with the increase in catalyst concentration up to 75 mg/L. The highest synergistic rate of the catalyst at this concentration and a pH of 10 was 46.6%. A maximum reduction of 100% of PG was achieved at a pH of 10, a concentration of 50 mg/L in 40 min. The results also indicated that the mineralization rate in COP/AC was 52%. Also, the results showed that the catalytic ozonation process can be used as an effective method for the oxidation of penicillin G from contaminated water.