A heterogeneous Fenton?like catalyst CNTs/?Fe2O3 was successfully synthesized and utilized for (induced by dielectric barrier discharge [DBD] plasma exposure) activation accompanied by the formation of in bulk solution. The results indicated that the addition of the catalyst in the DBD plasma system can largely improve the degradation performance and mineralization of gemfibrozil (GEM). The short?acting immediate biotoxicity of the degradation intermediates of GEM could be effectively decreased with enough DBD plasma treatment. Meanwhile, the toxicity of the soaking solution with residual catalyst reduced with the increase of recovery times. Significantly, the possible long?lasting side effect of residual catalyst still cannot be ignored although most of it has been largely separated.The degradation effects and mechanism on?gemfibrozil (GEM) in aqueous solution by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma combined with the catalyst CNTs/?Fe2O3 are investigated. The concentrations of plasma?generated reactive species, including H2O2, O3, , and OH, are measured with spectrophotometric and fluorescent probes. The effects of the plasma treatment period, discharge power, initial GEM concentration, solution pH value, conductivity, and the catalytic property are studied on the degradation rate and energy efficiency. Compared with the sole plasma treatment, CNTs/?Fe2O3 could maximally improve the GEM degradation rate and energy efficiency to 99.7%???0.2% and 76.5???5.2?mg?kW?1?h?1, respectively. The solution's total organic carbon removal efficiency has been increased to 47.2%???2.7%. Meanwhile, the possible degradation pathways of the plasma?treated GEM solution and overall biological toxicity of GEM degradation intermediates and residual catalyst in solution are investigated.

» Author: Zimu Xu, Bin Zhu, Zhengxin Ye, Nannan Zhang, Jie Shen, Yan Lan, Shuheng Hu, Cheng Cheng, Yunxia Li, Fan Yang, Paul K. Chu

» Publication Date: 13/12/2021

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