DEVELOPMENT OF CATALYTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR ENHANCED REMOVAL OF PHARMACEUTICALS

Abstract

The insufficient management of wastewater has led to the ongoing introduction of novel pollutants into aquatic ecosystems, with pharmaceuticals representing significant concern. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a commonly used antibiotic that poses significant environmental and public health challenges due to its persistence in ecosystems, which can result in endocrine disruption and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This research examines the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) utilizing the metal-organic framework MIL-88B(Fe), recognized for its structural adaptability and chemical modifiability in persulfate activation. Metal doping (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pd, Pt) on MIL-88B(Fe) was investigated to improve catalytic efficiency for the degradation of SMX. In-situ Ni-doped MIL-88B demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance, rapidly degrading 99.9% of SMX within 15 minutes (k=0.022 s⁻¹, pseudo-1st order ). The catalyst demonstrated exceptional durability and stability, successfully achieving total SMX degradation across 8 cycles while showing no leaching of metals (Ni and Fe) over 10 consecutive cycles. Ni@MIL-88B effectively activates persulfate as the principal radical source, providing a more efficient and safer storage option compared to hydrogen peroxide. An extensive examination of mineralization, degradation intermediates, and radical contributions under optimum parameters (pH, catalyst dosage, and contaminant concentration) was performed to clarify the degradation mechanism. The findings underscore Ni@MIL-88B as an eco-friendly, high-efficiency catalyst for the breakdown of enduring pharmaceutical pollutants.