Simultaneous degradation of amoxicillin and norfloxacin by TiO2@nZVI composites coupling with persulfate: Synergistic effect, products and mechanism

Abstract In recent years, a serious threat of antibiotic residues in aquatic environments to human health and ecological security has become increasingly widespread attention. In this study, this is the first report on an alternative strategy on enhanced degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) and norfloxacin (NOF) by TiO2@nZVI/persulfate (PS) process under UV irradiation. Results revealed that a signficantly synergistic effect on AMX degradation had been achieved in TiO2@nZVI/PS/UV process due to the photocatalysis and Fenton-like reactions. NO3–, HCO3–, PO43- and humic acid exhibited inhibitory effects on AMX degradation, whereas Cl- was negligible on that. The degradation of AMX decreased as the addition of Cr(VI) concentrations increased, whereas the correspond values were enhanced when a low Cu(II) concentration was introduced. TiO2@nZVI/PS/UV process was the most efficient for activating PS decomposition. HO•, SO4•− and 1O2 were all generated in TiO2@nZVI/PS/UV process, but HO• and SO4•− were the dominant radical species for AMX degradation. The AMX intermediates products identified by LC-MS system confirmed AMX was effectively degraded through hydroxylation and deamination reactions. A better performance on the simultaneous removals of AMX and NOF by TiO2@nZVI/PS/UV process could be achieved at lower concentration conditions, and the simultaneous reaction mechanism was thereby proposed base on expriment results.