Smart synergistic Fenton oxidation: CCD-optimized pathway for efficient 4-nitrophenol degradation
摘要
This study presents a smart synergistic Fenton oxidation approach for the efficient degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), incorporating a statistically optimized pathway using Central Composite Design (CCD) within the framework of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). This work simultaneously optimizes five critical process variables—iron loading on the catalyst, catalyst dosage, H2O2 concentration, initial 4-NP concentration, and pH—offering a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of Fenton processes. The experimental design provides valuable insight into the synergistic effects of interacting parameters, enabling a deeper understanding of process dynamics. A novel aspect of this study is the use of a sustainable, waste-derived heterogeneous catalyst (Fe-loaded fly ash brick clay, Fe-FABC), which promotes both high degradation efficiency and environmental sustainability. Polynomial modeling and surface response plots confirmed strong predictive capabilities for degradation performance under varied conditions. Optimal parameters were identified as 25 mM/L H2O2, 1.5 g/L catalyst dosage, 10% iron loading, 250 ppm 4-NP concentration, and pH 3 at 30 °C, achieving 92% degradation in 40 min. These findings demonstrate the efficiency of a CCD-optimized Fenton-like system using an eco-friendly catalyst and highlight its potential as a scalable and sustainable solution for treating phenolic pollutants in wastewater.