Degradation and mineralization of moxifloxacin antibiotic in aqueous medium by electro-Fenton process: Kinetic assessment and oxidation products

Oxidation of moxifloxacin by electro-Fenton process (EFP) in acidic media at pH 3.0 is investigated. The influences of Fe2+ and current density have been assessed in order to determine the optimum operating parameters. Kinetic analysis of the degradation of initial moxifloxacin suggests a pseudo-first-order degradation reaction. The mineralization of the treated solutions is simultaneously monitored from the abatement of the chemical oxygen demand. The evaluation of the chemical composition and the characterization of the degradation products of moxifloxacin during electrolysis are carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography. The obtained results reveal the significant efficiency of EFP to degrade the moxifloxacin in the aqueous solution.