Degradation of amoxicillin in aqueous solution using nanolepidocrocite chips/H₂O₂/UV: Optimization and kinetics studies

Degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) by nanolepidocrocite chips/H₂O₂/UV method as a new photo-Fenton like process was investigated and optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions were initial AMX concentration of 10mgl^-1 and initial H₂O₂ concentration of 60mgl^-1 at pH of 2 under UV radiation for 120min. The general photo-Fenton process mechanism was applied to propose a new kinetic model for AMX degradation. According to this model, the reaction constant between AMX and OH was obtained 4.55×10⁵M^-1s^-1. Also, nanolepidocrocite showed good catalytic activity even after four successive degradation cycles.