Efficient degradation of clofibric acid by electro-enhanced peroxydisulfate activation with Fe-Cu/SBA-15 catalyst

Mesoporous silica supported mono and bimetallic oxides are employed for the degradation of clofibric acid (CFA) in the heterogeneous electro-enhanced persulfate activation system. The oxidation system includes heterogeneous peroxydisulfate (PDS, S2O82-) activation coupled with electrochemical process, leading to the production of highly reactive radicals (SO4 center dot(-) and center dot OH). The influence of degradation reaction parameters, amongst the initial solution pH, current density, S2O82- concentration and catalyst loading, is investigated. Efficiency of catalyst to generate reactive radicals is confirmed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and radical quenching experiments. The catalytic performance was evaluated in terms of CFA concentration abatement, while the stability of catalyst is followed by quantifying the metal leaching into the aqueous solution during reaction and the evolution of surface characteristics of the materials before and after reaction. The main degradation intermediates were identified in order to propose a possible degradation pathway of CFA.