FeS redox power motor for PDS continuous generation of active radicals on efficient degradation and removal of diclofenac: Role of ultrasonic

Diclofenac (DCF), as a typical representative of PPCPs, has potential ecotoxicity to the water environment. In this study, ultrasound (US) enhanced ferrous sulfide (FeS)-activated persulfate (PDS) technology (US/FeS/PDS) was used to degrade DCF. By comparing the degradation effects of US, US/PDS, FeS/PDS and US/FeS/PDS systems on DCF, this study confirmed the synergy and strengthening effects of US. The influences of single-factor experimental conditions on the US/FeS/PDS system were investigated and optimized. The FeS catalysts before and after the reaction were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The heterogeneous reaction proceeded on the surface of FeS, and a small part of FeS2 was formed on FeS surface. During the reaction, the proportion of S2- on the catalyst surface decreased from 51% to 44%. Correspondingly, the proportion of S-x(2) increased from 21% to 26%. It indicated that S-2 was oxidized into S-x(2) in the reaction, and the loss electrons of S-2 caused the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ on the FeS surface, which promoted the cycle between Fe2+ and Fe3+ in turn. Furthermore, SO4 center dot- and.OH were the main active free radicals, of which the contribution rate of.OH was about 34.4%, while that of SO4 center dot- was approximately 52.2%. In US/FeS/PDS, the introduction of US could promote the dissolution of iron on the FeS surface. US contributed to the formation of a redox power motor between S2-Sx2- and Fe2+-Fe3+, which continuously decomposed PDS to generate sufficient active SO4 center dot- and.OH radicals, thereby efficiently and continuously degrading DCF. Finally, the related mechanism of DCF degradation by US/FeS/PDS was summarized. Overall, US/FeS/PDS can not only efficiently degrade and remove DCF, but also has potential application value in organic pollution removal and wastewater purification.

Automated summary

This study successfully degraded DCF using US/FeS/PDS technology, revealing the degradation mechanism and contribution ratio of active free radicals through experimental optimization and characterization analysis.