Activated carbon supported nanoscale zero valent iron for cooperative adsorption and persulfate-driven oxidation of ampicillin

Activated carbon supported nanoscale zero valent iron composites (AC-nZVI) were synthesized via chemical reduction for the efficient adsorption and catalytic oxidation of adsorbed pollutants. The compositions and properties of the composites were characterized by several characterization methods. The results indicated that the high adsorption and efficient catalyst loading capabilities could be attributed to the large surface area (826.543 m(2)/g) and high porosity (0.464 cm(3)/g) of the AC. Furthermore, nZVI had an excellent catalytic capability to activate persulfate (PS). Ampicillin was efficiently removal in PS/AC-nZVI system, which enhanced with increasing nZVI loading, catalyst dosage, and PS concentration. The AC-nZVI composites exhibited stable activity and minimal metal leakage over a period of five cycles. The activation energy of the system was 66.88 kJ/mol. Finally, the reaction mechanism and possible degradation pathways were elucidated based on intermediate analysis. The application of sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes in environmental remediation might be forwarded by the results of this work. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.