Oxidative degradation of clindamycin in aqueous solution using nanoscale zero-valent iron/H2O2/US

In this study, we investigated clindamycin (CLM) removal efficiency by using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and sonolysis process. Laboratory experiments were performed at 21 ± 2°C. Also, the effects of initial CLM concentration (45, 80, and 100 mg/L), the molar ratio of H2O2 (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM), nZVI (0.06, 0.1, and 0.2 g/L), pH (3, 7, and 10), in the presence of ultrasonic waves (35 and 130 kHz with 500W power) were studied. The results demonstrated that the sonolysis process combined with nZVI and H2O2 in nZVI/H2O2/US system improved the degradation efficiency. Results indicate that the CLM degradation rate increased with decreasing pH and increasing contact time, temperature, nZVI concentration (0.2 g/L), H2O2 concentration (to 180 mM), and ultrasound frequency (130 kHz/500 W). The optimal concentration of the H2O2, according to the extent of the ⋅OH scavenging reaction with these reagents, was demonstrated for CLM removal.