Heterogeneous electro-fenton treatment of clofibric acid with a Fe3O4 loaded bifunctional carbon felt cathode via different anode types

Gözmen, Belgin | Çirmi, Doğan

Pharmaceutical pollutants such as clofibric acid pose significant risks to aquatic environments and human health. In this study, a bifunctional cathode (CF@Fe3O4) was synthesized by anchoring Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto carbon felt via a solvothermal method. The material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The CF@Fe3O4 cathode was then evaluated in a heterogeneous electro-Fenton system for clofibric acid degradation under varying pH and current conditions using platinum and boron doped diamond anodes. Using the CF@Fe3O4/Pt pair, the highest mineralization efficiency (82%) was achieved at pH 3 and 50 mA after 5 h, whereas higher current intensities resulted in decreased mineralization. In contrast, the CF@Fe3...