Rapid decomposition of diclofenac in a magnetic field enhanced zero-valent iron/EDTA Fenton-like system

In this study, significant synergistic degradation of antibiotic diclofenac (DCF) was demonstrated in a novel magnetic field (MF) enhanced zero-valent iron (ZVI)/EDTA Fenton-like system. Five operational parameters, namely, initial ZVI loading, pH, EDTA dosage, DCF concentration and reaction temperature, were investigated for their effects on the DCF degradation. OH was identified as the predominant reactive oxygen species for DCF degradation in ZVI/EDTA systems whether in the presence or absence of MF. DCF molecule can be oxidized by OH, attacking via the hydroxylation and substituted dechlorination of the chlorinated aromatic ring, as well as by dehydration between the N atom and the acetoxyl. It could also be directly dechlorinated by ZVI reduction simultaneously. The reaction mechanism and promotional role of MF in the MF/ZVI/EDTA system were proposed. It is suggested that MF mainly alters the heterogeneous ZVI surface-bond reactions and accelerates the surface corrosion depending on the presence of pristine iron oxides layer, but MF does not change the homogeneous iron cycle and the Fenton-like reactions.