Oxidative degradation of clindamycin in aqueous solution using nanoscale zero-valent iron/H₂O₂/US

Abstract

In this study, we investigated clindamycin (CLM) removal efficiency by using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and sonolysis process. Laboratory experiments were performed at 21 ± 2°C. Also, the effects of initial CLM concentration (45, 80, and 100 mg/L), the molar ratio of H₂O₂ (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), nZVI (0.06, 0.1, and 0.2 g/L), pH (3, 7, and 10), in the presence of ultrasonic waves (35 and 130 kHz with 500 W power) were studied. The results demonstrated that the sonolysis process combined with nZVI and H₂O₂ in nZVI/H₂O₂/US system improved the degradation efficiency. Results indicate that the CLM degradation rate increased with decreasing pH and increasing contact time, temperature, nZVI concentration (0.2 g/L), H₂O₂ concentration (to 180 mM), and ultrasound frequency (130 kHz/500 W). The optimal concentration of the H₂O₂, according to the extent of the OH scavenging reaction with these reagents, was demonstrated for CLM removal.

Keywords:

• Clindamycin
• Zero valent iron nanoparticles
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sonolysis process