Pd-Based Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Improved Removal of Florfenicol via Heterogeneous Fenton and Photo-Fenton(-like) Processes

In this work, Fe2O3-Ni, Fe2O3-Ni-Pd, MgO-Ni, and MgO-Ni-Pd nanoparticles weresynthesized,characterized, and used for the degradation of florfenicol (FLO).The main goals were to compare the removal capacity of Fe2O3-Ni and MgO-Ni nanocatalysts and evaluate the effectof Pd incorporation on Fe2O3-Ni and MgO-Ni nanoparticleson the degradation of FLO by heterogeneous Fenton(-like) and photo-Fenton(-like)processes. The adsorption and degradation processes of FLO were assessed,determining that the latter process is the principal mechanism forFLO degradation. Through the heterogeneous photo-Fenton process, theantibiotic was 78 and 44% removed using the Fe2O3-Ni and MgO-Ni nanocatalyst, respectively, improving degradationby 22% when Pd is incorporated into both nanostructures. FLO degradationoccurs because of the generation of hydroxyl and superoxide radicaland holes in the interface and the Fenton reaction with Fe and Mgpresent in the nanoparticles. Finally, the main organic intermediatesproduced during the degradation were identified, allowing the proposalof a degradation pathway. Thus, heterogeneous Fenton(-like) and photo-Fenton(-like)processes using nanoparticles as solid phase catalysts are an excellentalternative to FLO degradation from water, especially consideringthe easy recovery of the nanoparticles through a simple separationprocess such as filtration.