Mineralization of sulfamethizole in photo-Fenton and photo-Fenton-like systems

Abstract

In this investigation, UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/Fe2+ (photo-Fenton) and UV/H2O2/Fe3+ (photo-Fenton-like) systems were used to mineralize sulfamethizole (SFZ). The optimal doses of H2O2 (1-20 mM) in UV/H2O2 and iron (0.1-1 mM) in photo-Fenton and photo-Fenton-like systems were determined. Direct photolysis by UV irradiation and direct oxidation by added H2O2, Fe2+ and Fe3+ did not mineralize SFZ. The optimal dose of H2O2 was 10 mM in UV/H2O2 and that of iron (Fe2+ or Fe3+) was 0.2 mM in both UV/H2O2/Fe2+ and UV/H2O2/Fe3+ systems. Under the best experimental conditions and after 60 min of reaction, the SFZ mineralization percentages in UV/H2O2, UV/H2O2/Fe2+ and UV/H2O2/Fe3+ systems were 16, 90 and 88%, respectively. The UV/H2O2/Fe2+ and UV/H2O2/Fe3+ systems effectively mineralized SFZ.