Preparation of zeolite nanorods by corona discharge plasma for degradation of phenazopyridine by heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like process

•Novel production of PMC nanorods by corona discharge plasma technique.•Characterization of the catalyst by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XPS and BET.•Evaluating the performance of PMCs in heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like of PhP.•Examining the radical scavenger’s effects on the removal efficiency of PhP.

The plasma-modified clinoptilolite (PMC) nanorods were prepared from natural clinoptilolite (NC) utilizing environmentally-friendly corona discharge plasma. The PMC and NC were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XPS and BET, which confirmed the nanocatalyst formation. The catalytic performance of the PMC in the heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like process was greater than the NC for treatment of phenazopyridine (PhP). The desired amounts were obtained for experimental parameters including initial pH (5), PMC dosage (2 g/L), K2S2O8 concentration (2 mmol/L), ultrasonic power (300 W) and PhP concentration (10 mg/L). Reactive oxygen species scavengers decreased the removal efficiency of the PhP. The treatment process followed pseudo-first order kinetic and seven degradation intermediates were identified by the GC–MS technique.

Graphical abstractPreparation of PMC by corona discharge plasma and its application in the heterogeneous sono-Fenton-like process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide