Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4. INTERNATIONAL ULUDAĞ SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CONGRESS, Bursa, Türkiye, 16 - 17 Kasım 2024, ss.1313-1324, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Pharmaceutical compounds discharged into sewage systems through urine or feces from hospital and household waste are classified as organic micropollutants. Among these compounds, antibiotics are of particular interest in treatment studies due to their acute and chronic toxic effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as their potential to induce antibiotic resistance. Therefore, developing effective treatment methods to prevent the release of antibiotics into aquatic ecosystems is of crucial importance. Electro-Fenton process (EF) emerges as a promising method for industrial applications due to its high pollutant removal efficiency and simple operating conditions. When Fe2+ salts are added as catalyst, the process is classified as homogeneous EF process, with its main drawback being the need for acidic pH conditions for optimal performance. This requirement necessitates the neutralization of the treated water before discharge and leads to catalyst loss due to iron hydroxide sludge formation during the neutralization process. To address these issues, activated carbon-Fe3O4 composite heterogeneous Fenton catalysts (AC-Fe3O4) have been developed, exhibiting properties such as high durability, conductivity, and a large surface area. These catalysts not only mitigate problems associated with iron hydroxide sludge and disposal but also function effectively across a broader pH range. Additionally, due to their magnetic properties, they can be easily separated from aqueous solutions and reused, making them a promising catalyst alternative. This study examines the applicability of AC-Fe3O4 catalysts to enhance the efficiency of the EF process in the removal of cefuroxime, a model pollutant molecule. The research focuses on the treatment performance and reusability of the catalyst, which can be easily removed from aqueous solutions due to its magnetic properties, making it suitable for reuse. Additionally, the study investigates the optimal operating conditions for the process. The results indicate that the effective pH range is broadened and that removal efficiency is proportional to the AC:Fe3O4 ratio, catalyst amount, and current intensity.