Evaluation of different parameters on the acetamiprid degradation by bimetallic Fe/Ni nanoparticles

•The acetamiprid degradation was obtained by Fe-Ni nanoparticles.•The degradation was greater than 90% in only 5 reaction minutes.•Hydroxyl radicals are important species in the acetamiprid degradation.•The acetamiprid degradation kinetics followed a pseudo-first order.•The reused nanoparticles showed excellent degradation results.

This work investigates the effect of different variables on acetamiprid degradation in aqueous systems by Fe/Ni nanoparticles. The variables studied were pH (2.0–5.0), temperature (283–313 K), and nanoparticles dosage (0.200 the 0.500 g L−1). The reactions monitoring was made by HPLC. The degradation was greater than 90% in only 5 reaction minutes. The results showed that occurs the formation of hydroxyl radicals in the system because in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, used as scavenger of these radicals, there was a significant reduction in the degradation rate of approximately 100–10%. Kinetic studies were performed and the results showed that the reaction kinetics followed a pseudo-first order. The degradation rate (kobs) was increased when dosage of the nanoparticles and temperature were increased. Regarding pH, the degradation rate increased with decreasing pH of the medium. Finally, the reuse of the nanoparticles was evaluated yielding a 70% of efficiency in acetamiprid degradation.