Enhanced Catalytic Ozonation by Mn–Ce Oxide-Loaded Al(2)O(3) Catalyst for Ciprofloxacin Degradation

[Image: see text] Catalytic ozonation is an effective and promising advanced oxidation technology for organic pollutant removal. Herein, CexMn(1–x)O(2) metal oxides loaded on Al(2)O(3) catalysts (Mn–Ce/Al(2)O(3)) were synthesized for catalytic ozonation of the wastewater containing ciprofloxacin. The morphology, crystal structure, and specific surface area of the prepared catalyst were characterized. The characteristics of the Mn–Ce/Al(2)O(3) catalyst revealed that the loaded MnO(2) could interfere with the formed CeO(2) crystals and then produced complex CexMn(1–x)O(2) oxides. Compared with an ozone-alone system (47.4%), the ciprofloxacin degradation efficiency in the Mn–Ce/Al(2)O(3) catalytic ozonation system elevated to 85.1% within 60 min. The ciprofloxacin degradation kinetic rate over the Mn–Ce/Al(2)O(3) catalyst is 3.0 times that of the ozone-alone system. The synergetic corporation of redox pairs between Mn(III)/Mn(IV) and Ce(III)/Ce(IV) in the Mn–Ce/Al(2)O(3) catalyst could accelerate ozone decomposition to generate active oxygen species and further significantly improve the mineralization efficiency of ciprofloxacin. The work demonstrates the great potential of developing dual-site ozone catalysts for advanced treatment of wastewater.