Modeling and Optimization of Ciprofloxacin Degradation by Hybridized Potassium Persulfate / Zero Valent-Zinc/Ultrasonic Process

The presence of pharmaceutical wastewaters containing antibiotic compounds is one of the new problems that need to be addressed in environmental pollution. This study examines ciprofloxacin removal from aqueous solutions through persulfate activated with hybridized ultrasonic waves and synthesized nano zero-valent zinc (NZVZ) particles. NZVZ particles were synthetized by chemical precipitation and stabilized by starch as an eco-friendly stabilizer before application. Modeling and optimization of the process were performed by central composite design (CCD) as a response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of operational parameters, such as initial pH, NZVZ dosage, and persulfate concentration on the removal of the antibiotic have been investigated. The results indicated 55% antibiotic removal observed with initial pH of 4.5, Potassium persulfate (KPS) concentration of 1200 mg/L and NZVZ dosage of 120 mg/L.