Fe3O4-zeolite hybrid material as hetero-fenton catalyst for enhanced degradation of aqueous ofloxacin solution

Abstract

A hetero-Fenton catalyst comprising of Fe3O4 nanoparticles loaded on zeolite (FeZ) has been synthesized using a facile co-precipitation method. The catalyst was characterized using various characterization methods and then, subsequently, was used to degrade ofloxacin (OFL, 20 mg/L), an antibiotic, via a heterogeneous Fenton process in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The effects of different parameters such as Fe3O4 loading on zeolite, catalyst loading, initial solution pH, initial OFL concentration, different oxidants, H2O2 dosage, reaction temperature, and inorganic salts were studied to determine the performance of the FeZ catalyst towards Fenton degradation of OFL under different conditions. Experimental results revealed that as much as 88% OFL and 51.2% total organic carbon (TOC) could be removed in 120 min using the FeZ catalyst. Moreover, the FeZ composite catalyst showed good stability for Fenton degradation of OFL even after five cycles, indicating that the FeZ catalyst could be a good candidate for wastewater remediation.