Effects of Reagent Concentrations on Advanced Oxidation of Amoxicillin by Photo-Fenton Treatment

The degradation and mineralization of amoxicillin in an aqueous solution was accomplished by using a photo-Fenton treatment. An ultraviolet light source with a 254-nm wavelength was used with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iron(II). The effects of reagent concentrations on amoxicillin degradation and mineralization were investigated systematically by using the Box-Behnken statistical experiment design. Amoxicillin (10–200??mgL-1), H2O2 (10–500??mgL-1), and iron(II) (0–50??mgL-1) concentrations were considered independent variables; the percent amoxicillin degradation and the total organic carbon (TOC) removal (mineralization) were the objective functions to be maximized. Both H2O2 and iron(II) concentrations affected the extent of the amoxicillin degradation and mineralization. The amoxicillin degradation was completed within 2.5?min, and 53% mineralization took place within 60?min. The optimum H2O2∶Fe∶amoxicillin ratio that resulted in complete amoxicillin degradation and 53% mineralization was 100∶40∶105??mgL-1.