Authors: Mavronikola, Chariklia; Demetriou, Maria; Hapeshi, Evroula; Partassides, Dora; Michael, Costas; Mantzavinos, Dionissios; Kassinos, Despo

Source: Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, Volume 84, Number 8, August 2009 , pp. 1211-1217(7)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The degradation and mineralisation of the antibiotic amoxicillin by photo-Fenton reactions, mediated by artificial UVA or solar irradiation, were investigated. Experiments were conducted with 30 mg L⁻¹ amoxicillin solutions prepared with deionised or surface water at Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂ concentrations in the range 0.0179-0.0895 and 1-10 mmol L⁻¹, respectively. Black-light irradiation at 365 nm was provided by a 13 W m⁻² lamp, while samples were exposed to sunlight at 20 W m⁻² for solar experiments.

RESULTS: In all cases, quantitative amoxicillin degradation occurred within 5 min and this was accompanied by lower mineralisation rates. Mineralisation followed first-order kinetics with respect to organic carbon content and it was not affected by the water matrix with either type of illumination. Solar-induced reactions were only marginally faster than artificial irradiation. Increasing the H₂O₂ to Fe²⁺ concentration ratio increases the extent of mineralisation up to a point beyond which degradation is impeded due to radical scavenging associated with the high concentrations of the Fenton reagents.

CONCLUSION: Amoxicillin is readily degradable by homogeneous photocatalysis, being converted to more stable intermediates as indicated by lower mineralisation rates. The process can be driven by solar irradiation, thus providing a sustainable treatment technology. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Keywords: amoxicillin; mineralisation; photo-Fenton; sunlight; water matrix

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jctb.2159

Publication date: 2009-08-01

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