Performance of nZVC/H₂O₂ process in degrading chloramphenicol in water

Background: To develop other H₂O₂-based approaches for the efficient degradation of chloramphenicol, this study elucidates the performance of the nZVC/H₂O₂ process in the degradation of chloramphenicol in water. Methods: A rotating packed bed (RPB) with blade packings was adopted in the mass-production of nanoscale zero-valent copper (RPB-nZVC). The effects of pH, initial chloramphenicol concentration, nZVC dosage, and H₂O₂ concentration on the degradation of chloramphenicol using the nZVC/H₂O₂ process with RPB-nZVC were studied. Significant findings: The results reveal that the optimal nZVC dosage and H₂O₂ concentration were 250 mg/L and 1.25 mmol/L, respectively. At pH 3 with an initial chloramphenicol concentration of 10 mg/L, an nZVC dosage of 250 mg/L, an H₂O₂ concentration of 1.25 mmol/L, and a degradation time of 30 min, the nZVC/H₂O₂ process with the RPB-nZVC degraded 93% of the chloramphenicol. However, at the same operating parameters, the efficiency of degradation of chloramphenicol of 63% was achieved in the nZVC/H₂O₂ process with commercial nZVC that was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich. Therefore, the nZVC/H₂O₂ process with RPB-nZVC can be used to degrade strongly chloramphenicol in water.