Cubic cobalt and zinc co-doped magnetite nanoparticles for persulfate and hydrogen peroxide activation towards the effective photodegradation of Sulfalene

In this work, the cubic cobalt and zinc doped and co-doped magnetite nanocatalysts were synthesized and characterized using different analysis. The so-synthesized photocatalysts were used for the activation of hydrogen peroxide (HP) and persulfate (PS) under UVA irradiation. The integration of Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4 improved the activation of PS and HP; wherein, the UVA/Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4/PS process demonstrated higher degradation performance for Sulfalene (SFL) as a veterinary pharmaceutical contaminant in water. Afterward, the effect of different physicochemical parameters was studied and the radicals generated through the process were identified using chemical scavengers. UVA/Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4/PS process brought about 67% of SFL degradation in real wastewater. Moreover, 85% of TOC removal was achieved within 15 h of the above-mentioned process. Eventually, the phototoxicity of the untreated and treated SFL solution after 120 min of the UVA/Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4/PS process was studied using Lemna minor aquatic species.

Automated summary

Cubic cobalt and zinc doped magnetite nanocatalysts were synthesized and used for activation of hydrogen peroxide and persulfate under UVA irradiation, showing good performance in degrading Sulfalene in water. The integration of Fe2.5Co0.3Zn0.2O4 improved activation efficiency, leading to 67% SFL degradation in real wastewater.