Tetracycline removal via three-way synergy between pistachio shell powder, zerovalent copper or iron, and peroxymonosulfate activation

Abstract

Pistachio shell powder (PS) immobilized zerovalent iron and zerovalent copper (ZVI@PS and ZVC@PS) were investigated for the tetracycline (TCH) removal via sulfate radical based advanced oxidation process (S-AOP's). Eco-efficient ZVI@PS and ZVC@PS nanocomposite prepared by one-pot redox precipitation method were characterized by using FTIR, XRD, SEM, BET, TGA/DTA, and XPS techniques. The EDX, TGA, and AAS analysis techniques confirmed the loading of 44% Fe and 40% Cu (w/w %) onto the pistachio shell biomass in ZVI@PS and ZVC@PS nanocomposites, respectively. This report comprehensively discusses the effect of various contributing factors for the TCH removal via advanced oxidation processes such as catalytic dosage, initial pH, PMS dosage and initial TCH concentrations, etc. Besides that, the role of reactive oxygen species (SO4.−, .OH, O2.−, and 1O2) in the TCH degradation process was investigated using radical scavenging experiments. A three-way synergistic approach was established between adsorption efficiencies of pistachio shell powder, heterogeneous ZVI or ZVC mediated Fenton-process and enhanced PMS activation process, for the observed enhanced TCH degradations. The observed rate constant (kobs.) values of ZVI@PS-PMS (0.34 min−1) and ZVC@PS-PMS (0.16 min−1) processes for TCH removal suggests that the ZVI@PS was more efficient in TCH removal compared to ZVC@PS.