Central composite design-based optimization of heterogeneous Fenton-like catalytic oxidation of real pharmaceutical wastewater using Cu–Fe/SiO₂

Authors

  • Vishal Sandhwar Department of Chemical Engineering, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India-391760 Author
  • Neha Kulshrestha Department of Chemical Engineering, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India-391760 Author
  • Alok Tiwari Department of Chemical Engineering, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India-391760 Author
  • Shivendu Saxena Department of Chemical Engineering, Parul Institute of Technology, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India-391760 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46488/

Keywords:

Pharmaceutical wastewater, Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, Catalytic oxidation, Cu–Fe/SiO₂, , Process optimization

Abstract

This research explores heterogeneous Fenton-like catalytic oxidation for the treatment of actual pharmaceutical wastewater with Cu–Fe supported on SiO₂ as an active catalyst. Catalyst preparation and characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and BET analysis for poros1ity, crystallinity and active site distribution were completed. To optimize treatment parameters, response surface methodology using central composite design (CCD) investigated catalyst dosage, H₂O₂ concentration, initial pH and reaction time for the maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The CCD determinant generated a quadratic model (R² = 0.9881) to predict experimental results which, when confirmed via successful achievement of proposed conditions, resulted in 76.07% COD removal. This work indicates the efficiency, reproducibility and feasibility of scaling the Cu–Fe/SiO₂ catalyst for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment and is a step toward sustainability.

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Issue

September 2026 (Forthcoming Issue)

Section

Articles