Modeling and optimization of 2-Chlorophenol degradation using ultrasound assisted Fe3O4@TiO2: Central Composite Design-Genetic Algorithm approach

Abstract In this study, the ultrasound-catalyst hybrid system was applied for degradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) from aquatic environment. The produced catalyst was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray scattering, vibration magnetometer and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, showing the successful synthesize of the core-shell structure of magnetic TiO2. A Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied in MATLAB software to investigate the effective parameters in degradation and evaluate the removal of 2-CP by M-TiO2-US system. Kinetics, intermediate products and catalyst reusability were determined under optimal conditions. The results indicated that pH of 4.413, catalyst dosage of 0.733 g/L, 2-CP concentration of 2.549 mg/L, ultrasound power of 55.605 W/L had the maximum degradation efficiency (97.776 %) and pH was assigned as the most effective parameter for the degradation of 2-CP. Superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were considered as the main cause of 2-CP degradation. Catalyst stability was investigated in 5 replicates and verified. The overall results show that the M-TiO2 and US hybrid system has promising performance in the degradation of 2-chlorophenol and has the ability to use on a larger scale.