Herein, we describe the synthesis of four different stoichiometries of zinc ferrite (i.e., Zn1.0Fe2.0O4, Zn0.7Fe2.3O4, Zn0.3Fe2.7O4, and Zn0.1Fe2.9O4) magnetic nanomaterials. The catalysts were synthesized by a combustion method in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. The crystal phases, surface morphology and composition of catalysts were identified. Degradation byproducts released in the degradation system were investigated using quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometery, coupled with liquid chromatography and an electrospray ionization (LC/Q-TOF-ESI-MS), and reaction pathways were suggested. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the formation of the ZnxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles, with both Fe2+ and Fe3+ species present in the catalyst. The catalytic activities of catalysts were tested for the removal of diclofenac pharmaceutical in water. Initial investigation revealed 0.17 g/L Zn1.0Fe2.0O4 was capable of degrading 90% of 10 µM initial diclofenac in water in 2 min reaction time, under dark conditions. However, lower diclofenac removal was obtained when catalysts with lower zinc content were employed. The synthesized catalysts demonstrated strong magnetic properties that facilitates the particles collection and separation from reaction medium using a magnetic field. LC/Q-TOF-ESI-MS analysis revealed the formation of seven transformation byproducts. The current study revealed zinc ferrite could achieve degradation of diclofenac in contaminated waters, under dark conditions, in a relatively short reaction time. Details on catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation as well as pathways of transformation products will be discussed in the presentation.

Synthesis of Zn-ferrite recyclable magnetic nanomaterials for the degradation of pharmaceutical diclofenac in water

256th National Meeting (2018)

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