Heterogeneous Fenton Oxidation Using Magnesium Ferrite Nanoparticles for Ibuprofen Removal from Wastewater: Optimization and Kinetics Studies

In this study, the catalytic properties of Fenton-like catalyst based on magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for IBP degradation were examined. Structural and morphological studies showed the low crystallinity and mesoporous structure for the catalyst obtained via a glycine-nitrate method. The influences of catalyst dosage, oxidant concentration, and solution pH on the pollutant degradation were investigated. The pseudo-first-order model describes kinetic data, and under optimal condition (catalyst dose of 0.5 g L-1, H2O2 concentration of 20.0 mM, and pH of 8.0), apparent rate constant reached 0.091 min-1. It was shown that Fenton reaction was mainly induced by iron atoms on the catalyst surface, which is supported by very low iron leaching (up to 0.05 mg L-1) and high catalytic activity at neutral solution pH (6.0-8.0). It was found that the IBP mineralization onto magnesium ferrite catalyst was rapid and reached up to 98-100% within 40 min. Thus, prepared magnesium ferrite nanoparticles can be used as an effective Fenton-like catalyst for the IBP degradation from wastewater.