Effect of montmorillonite-loaded nano zero-valent iron-activated persulfate on the degradation of ACE and THX

To investigate the degradation characteristics and mechanism of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam under the system of montmorillonite-loaded nano zero-valent iron activated persulfate, a novel nanocomposite material M-nZVI was prepared by liquid phase reduction method using montmorillonite as raw material. The effect of the nanocomposite material on the degradation of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam in water by the activation of persulfate was investigated. The results showed that the degradation of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam by single nano zero-valent iron activated persulfate was only 43% and 49%, indicating that the nano zero-valent iron has the deficiencies of being easy to oxidize and easy to be agglomerated, which led to a significant reduction of its reactivity. However, the ability to activate persulfate was greatly enhanced after the nano-zero-valent iron was modified by montmorillonite, and the degradation of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam by the modified material could reach 100% within 60 min, and the material was stable, and the degradation rate could still reach 100% after 90 days of storage. Therefore, the modified nano zero-valent iron-activated persulfate technology is promising for the remediation of neonicotinoid pesticides, but the modification method should be adjusted accordingly for different pollutants, and in-depth explorations should be carried out subsequently.