Decomposition of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole by the liquid-phase plasma process enhanced by peroxymonosulfate

In this study, sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) was successfully degraded using the liquid phase plasma (LPP) method, a new advanced oxidation process (AOPs). The effects of LPP process variables and side reactions on SMZ decomposition reactions were evaluated, and optimal LPP process conditions were determined based on these data. To increase the efficiency of the SMZ decomposition reaction, peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was added to the LPP reaction. The optimal addition amount was derived by tracking the change in the amount of oxidation radicals produced according to the addition of PMS. By analyzing the reaction intermediates generated in the SMZ decomposition reaction, the decomposition pathway of SMZ by the LPP method was proposed.