Review on the Stability of Ferrate (VI) Species in Aqueous Medium and Oxidation of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) by Ferrate (VI): Identification of Transformation By-Products

Abstract

There is a great interest in the 6+ state of iron, namely ferrate (VI) (Fe(vI)O4), because of its potential as a strong and greener oxidant. The usage of Fe (VI) for super-iron batteries and for water and wastewater treatment applications is an attractive method. Fe (VI) is an environmentally friendly chemical that produces a non-toxic by-product (Fe-III) in its self-decay. The stability or self-decay of Fe (VI) is very important when its real-scale applications for remediation processes are considered. This review represents useful information about the stability of Fe (VI) for both its solid and electrosynthesized forms. Fe (VI) has many advantages compared with other oxidants due to its high oxidizing capacity and coagulant effect. Fe (VI) is very effective at oxidizing many organic and inorganic compounds. Micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), which are of great concern due to their toxic and adverse effects, can be effectively removed from wastewater effluents and water bodies by Fe (VI). These molecules involve antibiotics, analgesics, 13-blockers, lipid regulators, anti-psychotics, x-ray contrasts, cytostatic drugs, and personal care products. The kinetic assessment and oxidation efficiencies for the degradation of PPCPs by Fe (VI) can be found in this chapter. Additionally, identified transformation by-products and the reaction pathways for the studied PPCPs are discussed. Fe (V1), a green chemical, has great potential in environmental sustainability and the degradation of emerging micropollutants.