ACTIVATION OF PEROXYMONOSULFATE BY CuCoFe LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDE FOR THE DECOMPOSITION OF LEVOFLOXACIN

Abstract

In this study, we synthesized CuCoFe-LDH bilayer hydroxide catalysts in different Cu:Co:Fe ratios (1:1:1; 1:2:1, and 1:3:2) by hydrothermal method and applied them to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for decomposing levofloxacin. The obtained LDH samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that CuCoFe-LDH (1:3:2) has the strongest ability to activate PMS and degrade levofloxacin. After 10 minutes of reaction (catalyst content of 200 mg/L, PMS concentration of 1.629 mM, pH 7, at 30^oC), the decomposition efficiency was 64.89, 83.93, and 92.58% for LDH with ratios of 1:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:3:2, respectively. The influence of PMS concentration and reaction temperature on levofloxacin degradation was investigated. PMS at high concentrations was beneficial for the formation of active oxygen species. The degradation rate of levofloxacin was affected by temperature and the activation energy was 34.04 kJ/mol.