Abstract
Ferrate(VI) is a powerful oxidant with the high oxidation potential, and a green chemical with its non-toxic product, i.e. ferric ions or ferric hydroxides. In this syudy, the potential use of ferrate(VI) for the degradation of emerging pollutants including tetracycline (TC), dimethyl phthalates (DMP) and tylosin (TYL) at various pHs ranging from 7.0－10.0 was investigated. The degradation byproducts of emerging pollutants by ferrate(VI) were also identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. ferrate(VI) exhibits the good oxidation potential for the degradaation of TC, DMP and TYL in aqueous solutions. EPR and LC-MS spectra showed that ferrate(VI) can produce iron-oxo radicals to attack the aromatic ring of DMP to produce di-hydroyxl-DMP and tri-hydroyxl-DMP. Addition of TiO2 improved the DMP degradation by ferrate(VI) under UV light irradation and the produced ．OH radicals attacked the alkyl chains of DMP yo form monomethyl phthalate and mono-hygroxyl-phthalate. In addition, the decomposition of TYL by ferrate(VI) in the presence of TiO2/UV irradition was investigated. Ferrate(VI) is an effective chemical to rapidly decompose TYL and the reaction can be completed within 1 min. Results obtained in this study clearly indicate that ferrate(VI) is an effective green chemical for decomposition of tetracycline, dimethyl phthalate, and tylosin, which open an avenue to design the new advanced technology for removal of emerging pollutants in water and wastewater treatment.