Enhanced degradation of triclosan using UV–Fe2+ synergistic activation of peracetic acid
Abstract
UV/Fe2+/peracetic acid (PAA) as an efficient and novel advanced oxidation system was reported to produce reactive species (i.e., hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and organic radicals) for triclosan (TCS) degradation, which is a representative of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs). The effects of initial pH, PAA dosage and common water matrix on TCS degradation were investigated. The results indicated that 1 μmol L−1 TCS was completely removed within 10 min at an optimum initial pH of 3.5, Fe2+ dosage of 10 μmol L−1, PAA dosage of 1 mmol L−1 and temperature of 25 °C. The presence of HCO3− and natural organic matter (NOM) showed obviously negative effect on TCS degradation, while NO3− strongly promoted the destruction of TCS. According to the detected nine reaction products, the probable degradation pathways of TCS by UV/Fe2+/PAA were proposed including ether bond cleavage, hydroxylation, dechlorination, dechlorination–hydroxylation and dehydrogenation.