Optimal degradation of Ciprofloxacin in a heterogeneous Fenton-like process using (δ-FeOOH)/MWCNTs nanocomposite

This study was aimed at the synthesis and characterization of (δ-FeOOH)/MWCNTs nanocomposite as the catalyst for Ciprofloxacin (CIP) removal through a heterogeneous Fenton-like process. The proposed experimental design applies the central composite design (CCD) as a response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of influential parameters, including initial CIP concentration, catalyst dose, H₂O₂ concentration, initial pH, and reaction time on removal, were investigated. (δ-FeOOH)/MWCNTs nanocomposite was synthesized using a single-step co-precipitation technique. Besides, nano-feroxyhyte and nanocomposite properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), particle size analysis (PSA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The inhibitory hale experiment was performed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) to evaluate the antibacterial activity. The optimal CIP removal efficiency (86.9%) was achieved by 131.6 min reaction time, CIP concentration of 10.0 mg/L, catalyst dosage of 23.5 mg, H₂O₂ concentration of 20.6 mM, and initial pH of 5.3, with a biodegradability index (BOD₅/COD) of 0.35 Based on the results, (δ-FeOOH)/MWCNTs showed a significant catalytic activity for CIP removal, which can be attributed to the simultaneous effects of advanced oxidation and absorption.