Nanocomposites and nanomaterials
Fenton processes for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater
Danyliuk N.V.1, Tatarchuk T.R.2
1 Educational and Scientific Center of Material Science and Nanotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 201 Galytska str., Ivano-Frankivsk 76018, Ukraine
E-mail: danyliuk.nazariy@gmail.com
2 Department of Chemistry, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko str, Ivano-Frankivsk 76018, Ukraine

The Fenton and Fenton-based systems are very promising as oxidation processes, which can be used to reduce the amount of pharmaceutical contaminants in the wastewaters. Due to the spread of coronavirus infection, there is a sharp increase in the pharmaceuticals concentration in wastewaters, which need to be disposed. The presence of pharmaceutical contaminants in water mediums makes them unsuitable for domestic use. It is established that improved oxidation processes are an environmentally friendly processes of complex organic compounds degradation. However, one of the most effective is the Fenton process, as an advanced cleaning process for the removal of many hazardous pharmaceutical contaminants. The Fenton reaction is an advanced oxidation process that has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in removing pharmaceutical organic contaminants over a wide range of concentrations. 
This work involves the critical review of some problems related to Fenton and Fenton-based processes. The mechanism of reactions with all possible side effects is considered. The overview of most used catalysts and their activity in hydrogen peroxide activation processes is presented. Iron-based catalysts are considered and the limitations affecting their environmental application are highlighted. However, future research should increase the stability of the process for wider operating conditions to avoid leaching of the metal into the solution and their negative impact on the environment. It is expected that combined methods based on heterogeneous Fenton systems will reduce the formation of secondary contaminants. A study of the progress of the Fenton processes has demonstrated their economic and commercial feasibility to treat wastewater from pharmaceuticals.