Ce-Doped zero-valent iron nanoparticles as a Fenton-like catalyst for degradation of sulfamethazine

Ce-Doped zero-valent iron (Ce/Fe) nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and used as a catalyst for degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT) antibiotics in a Fenton-like process. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the catalyst before and after use. The influencing factors on the degradation of sulfamethazine were determined, including pH value, H2O2 dosage, catalyst dosage and temperature. The results showed that Ce/Fe composites exhibited high catalytic activity in a wide pH range (4-7). The removal efficiency of SMT was almost 100% under optimal condition (pH = 6, T = 30 degrees C, 0.5 g L-1 catalyst and 12 mM H2O2). The degradation process of SMT conformed to a first-order kinetic model. The intermediates of SMT degradation were identified by Ion Chromatography (IC), the possible degradation pathway of SMT and the possible catalytic mechanisms of Ce/Fe composites were tentatively proposed.