Degradation of sulfamethazine antibiotics in Fenton‐like system using Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles as catalyst

In this study, Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized, characterized and used for the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT). The results showed that Fe 3 O 4 MNPs were efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic for SMT degradation in a Fenton‐like system. More than 80% of the SMT was degraded under optimal conditions: initial pH of 3.0, 20 mM of H 2 O 2 , Fe 3 O 4 MNPs dose of 1.0 g/L, and initial concentration of SMT 20 mg/L (initial total organic carbon: 10.4 mg/L). Among the parameters that affect SMT degradation, initial pH is of crucial importance to degrade SMT in the Fenton‐like system. A possible pathway of SMT degradation was proposed based on detected products in the solution. The Fe 3 O 4 MNPs exhibited high stability and reusability. The SMT removal remained at 80% over five runs with the catalyst. Slight agglomeration and dissolution of Fe 3 O 4 MNPs after reactions were observed by X‐ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The SMT removal and mineralization could be enhanced using Fe 3 O 4 MNPs/powder‐activated carbon (PAC) composite as catalyst. The removal efficiency of SMT and TOC increased to 94.7% and 80.8% in optimal conditions, respectively, in Fenton‐like system catalyzed by Fe 3 O 4 MNPs/PAC composite. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1743–1753, 2017