Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity
In this study, an electrochemical-assisted ferric ion/persulfate (EC/Fe<sup>3+</sup>/PS) process was proposed to degrade bezafibrate (BZF), a widespread hypolipidemic drug, in water. By promoting the reduction of Fe<sup>3+</sup> to Fe<sup>2+</sup> at the cathode,...
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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author | Yuqiong Gao Kexuan Li Xiangmei Zhong Han Ning |
author_facet | Yuqiong Gao Kexuan Li Xiangmei Zhong Han Ning |
author_sort | Yuqiong Gao |
collection | DOAJ |
description | In this study, an electrochemical-assisted ferric ion/persulfate (EC/Fe<sup>3+</sup>/PS) process was proposed to degrade bezafibrate (BZF), a widespread hypolipidemic drug, in water. By promoting the reduction of Fe<sup>3+</sup> to Fe<sup>2+</sup> at the cathode, the introduction of an electric field successfully overcomes the limitation of non-regenerable Fe<sup>2+</sup> inherent in Fe<sup>2+</sup>/PS systems, significantly improving the degradation efficiency of BZF. The predominant reactive species identified were •OH and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>●−</sup>, with <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> also playing a role. Various key operational parameters were investigated and optimized, including the current intensity, Fe<sup>3+</sup> dosage, PS concentration, and initial pH. With a current intensity of 50 mA, an Fe<sup>3+</sup> concentration of 50 μΜ, a PS dosage of 50 μM, and an initial pH of 3, the degradation efficiency of BZF demonstrated an exceptional achievement, reaching up to 98.8% within 30 min. The influence of anions and humic acid was also assessed. An LC/TOF/MS analysis revealed four major degradation pathways of BZF: hydroxylation, amino bond cleavage, dechlorination, and fibrate chain removal. The acute and chronic toxicities of BZF and its degradation intermediates were then assessed using the ECOSAR program. These findings highlight the wide-ranging applications of the EC/Fe<sup>3+</sup>/PS system and its potential for remediating water contaminated with micropollutants. |
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spelling | doaj.art-658067829a454a87813a74655e5c9b4d2024-03-12T16:57:33ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412024-02-0116564910.3390/w16050649Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and ToxicityYuqiong Gao0Kexuan Li1Xiangmei Zhong2Han Ning3School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaSchool of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaSchool of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaSchool of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, ChinaIn this study, an electrochemical-assisted ferric ion/persulfate (EC/Fe<sup>3+</sup>/PS) process was proposed to degrade bezafibrate (BZF), a widespread hypolipidemic drug, in water. By promoting the reduction of Fe<sup>3+</sup> to Fe<sup>2+</sup> at the cathode, the introduction of an electric field successfully overcomes the limitation of non-regenerable Fe<sup>2+</sup> inherent in Fe<sup>2+</sup>/PS systems, significantly improving the degradation efficiency of BZF. The predominant reactive species identified were •OH and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>●−</sup>, with <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> also playing a role. Various key operational parameters were investigated and optimized, including the current intensity, Fe<sup>3+</sup> dosage, PS concentration, and initial pH. With a current intensity of 50 mA, an Fe<sup>3+</sup> concentration of 50 μΜ, a PS dosage of 50 μM, and an initial pH of 3, the degradation efficiency of BZF demonstrated an exceptional achievement, reaching up to 98.8% within 30 min. The influence of anions and humic acid was also assessed. An LC/TOF/MS analysis revealed four major degradation pathways of BZF: hydroxylation, amino bond cleavage, dechlorination, and fibrate chain removal. The acute and chronic toxicities of BZF and its degradation intermediates were then assessed using the ECOSAR program. These findings highlight the wide-ranging applications of the EC/Fe<sup>3+</sup>/PS system and its potential for remediating water contaminated with micropollutants.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/5/649bezafibrateelectrochemistryFe<sup>3+</sup>/persulfatereaction mechanismtoxicity evaluation |
spellingShingle | Yuqiong Gao Kexuan Li Xiangmei Zhong Han Ning Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity Water bezafibrate electrochemistry Fe<sup>3+</sup>/persulfate reaction mechanism toxicity evaluation |
title | Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity |
title_full | Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity |
title_fullStr | Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity |
title_full_unstemmed | Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity |
title_short | Electro-Assisted Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Persulfate System for the Degradation of Bezafibrate in Water: Kinetics, Degradation Mechanism, and Toxicity |
title_sort | electro assisted fe sup 3 sup persulfate system for the degradation of bezafibrate in water kinetics degradation mechanism and toxicity |
topic | bezafibrate electrochemistry Fe<sup>3+</sup>/persulfate reaction mechanism toxicity evaluation |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/5/649 |
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