Activation of peroxymonosulfate using carbon black nano-spheres/calcium alginate hydrogel matrix for degradation of acetaminophen: Fe₃O₄ co-immobilization and microbial community response

Herein, we focused on the degradation of acetaminophen (ACT) drug in liquid phase by peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated by carbon black nano-spheres (CBNS). The nanostructured activator was immobilized into calcium alginate hydrogel matrix (CAHM) to avoid the washout of the fine nanostructures. The Langmuir modeling showed an insignificant contribution to the adsorption process in the removal of ACT. The basic pH conditions favored the decomposition of ACT. Among nutrients, the presence of nitrogenous compounds including nitrite, nitrate and ammonium caused a little decrease in the reactor performance, while the addition of phosphate ion improved the efficiency from 76.8% to 81.9%. The results demonstrated the involvement of both SO₄^•− and ^•OH radicals in the degradation of ACT and domination of SO₄^•− radicals in the degradation process. Co-immobilization of the CBNS with electro-synthesized magnetite nanoparticles resulted in not only the enhanced reusability potential but also improved the efficiency of the treatment process to 95.6%. Mineralization efficiency of the process was not remarkable; however, the process produced an effluent with lower toxicity toward the microbial community of the activated sludge.