Investigating of the performance of persulfate activation process by magnetic activated carbon in the decomposition of benzotriazole in aqueous solution

Abstract

Background and Objective: Recently, significant efforts have been performed for the removal of various emerging pollutants (EPs) from water sources. Among these EPs, benzotriazole has been widely identified in aquatic environments, which has harmful health and environmental effects, so it is necessary to apply various methods to remove it. Up to date, the use of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as an efficient method for the degradation and mineralization of EPs pollutants from aqueous solutions has attracted so much attention. Therefore, in this research, the performance of the persulfate activation process using magnetic nanocatalyst iron oxide-activated carbon prepared from coconut shell for the removal of benzotriazole from aqueous solution, and also the effect of different parameters have been investigated. Materials and Method: This research is an experimental-laboratory study. The effect of various variables such as solution pH (2-10), catalyst dose (0.1-0.5 g/L), persulfate concentration (1-5 mM), and initial concentration of benzotriazole (10-50 mg/L) was investigated. The final concentration of benzotriazole was measured using a spectrometer. Also, the characteristics of the synthesized catalyst were investigated using numerous analyzes such as BET, FESEM, XRD, EDX and VSM, and Results: The results showed that the highest efficiency of the process for the removal of benzotriazole was attained at pH: 6, initial concentration: 10 mg/L, catalyst dosage: 0.5 g/L, persulfate concentration: 3 mM, and more than 80% of benzotriazole was removed. On the other hand, the results of catalyst characterization showed that the catalyst was perfectly synthesized and could be reused in five consecutive cycles. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, this catalyst had a high performance for the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous solution.

Keywords

• advanced oxidation
• benzotriazole
• persulfate
• coconut shell
• sulfate radical