Ferrate(VI): a novel oxidant for degradation of cationic surfactant – cetylpyridinium bromide

Abstract

Ferrate(VI) is an efficient multi-functional water treatment reagent that has several novel properties, such as strong oxidation, absorption, flocculation, disinfection and deodorization. The removal of cationic surfactants based on ferrate (K2FeO4) was performed in the case of cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB). The influence of operating variables on the mineralization efficiency was studied as a function of ferrate dosage, initial pH and reaction time. Total organic carbon (TOC), UV and infrared spectra were performed to gain a better understanding of the degradation process. Results show that the optimal treatment conditions are as follows, solution initial pH is over 5, oxidation time is 5 min and ferrate dosage is 1.5 times that of CPB. The removal efficiency of CPB above 99% and TOC removal percentage of 91.3% can be achieved in minutes. The reaction of CPB with K2FeO4 responds to a second-order kinetic law.