Insight into efficient degradation of 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid by Fe-Si-B amorphous ribbon under neutral condition

Water disinfection would result in unintended formation of halogenated disinfection by-products (DBPs) which pose potential harm to human health. In present work, Fe78Si9B13 amorphous ribbons (Fe-Si-BAR) showed excellent catalytic degradation performance towards an aromatic DBP, 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid (3,5-DiClSA) by Fenton-like reaction. The catalytic degradation performances of Fe-Si-BAR, Fe78Si9B13 crystalline ribbons (Fe-SiBCR) and iron powders towards 3,5-DiClSA were compared, and Fe-Si-BAR (0.0166 min-1) showed the fastest degradation rate. The faster surface mobility of Fe-Si-BAR, which made it easy for Fe2+ to be oxidized by H2O2, facilitated the degradation process. High-valent iron of FeIV could be generated which accounted for degradation of 3,5-DiClSA. The Fe-Si-BAR also showed better and better catalytic performance in 10 reuse cycles. Besides, the cytotoxicity tests indicated that the overall toxicity level of 3,5-DiClSA was declined by 88.1 % after degradation by Fe-Si-BAR. Our results showed that Fe-Si-BAR is a promising catalyst for the degradation of aromatic DBPs.

Automated summary

Fe-Si-BAR showed excellent catalytic degradation performance towards the aromatic DBPs, especially 3,5-DiClSA, with the fastest degradation rate among the compared materials. The higher surface mobility of Fe-Si-BAR facilitated the degradation process by allowing easier oxidation of Fe2+ by H2O2, resulting in the generation of FeIV for the degradation of 3,5-DiClSA. The overall toxicity level of 3,5-DiClSA was significantly reduced after degradation by Fe-Si-BAR, making it a promising catalyst for the degradation of aromatic DBPs.