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Analysis of institutional authors

García-Muñoz, PAuthorRodriguez-Chueca, JCorresponding Author

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October 14, 2025
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Photocatalytic disinfection of wastewater using peroxymonosulfate activated by pyrite, chalcopyrite and marcasite under solar irradiation

Publicated to: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL. 523 168511- - 2025-11-01 523(), DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.168511

Authors:

Gaye, C; Garcia-Muñoz, P; Vazquez-Arenas, J; Lara, RH; Rodriguez-Chueca, J
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Affiliations

Inst Politecn Nacl, Ctr Mexicano Prod Mas Limpia, Av Acueducto S-N,Col Laguna Ticoman, Mexico City 07340, Mexico - Author
Univ Juarez Estado Durango UJED, Fac Ciencias Quim, Av Vet S-N, Durango 34120, Mexico - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Ind, Dept Ind Chem & Environm Engn, C-Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author
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Abstract

This study investigates the photocatalytic potential of three natural iron-based minerals: pyrite, marcasite, and chalcopyrite for the inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis in simulated and real wastewater. Pyrite and marcasite (0.5 g/L) achieved complete bacterial inactivation within 90 and 30 min, respectively, while chalcopyrite only reached a 2.06 log10 reduction value (LRV) under the same conditions. The introduction of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as an oxidant significantly improved disinfection kinetics, allowing a halving of the required mineral dosage. PMS activation by Fe2+ on mineral surfaces under solar irradiation generated highly reactive radicals (SO4 center dot-, center dot OH, and O2 center dot-), enhancing the overall oxidative capacity. Under optimized conditions (PMS/Pyrite/Solar and PMS/Marcasite/Solar), simultaneous removal of E. faecalis and tetracycline (TC) was demonstrated. TC removal efficiencies reached 98.99 and 88.90 % within 30 min, while complete bacterial inactivation occurred in 120 and 90 min, respectively. pH played a crucial role in system performance, since disinfection efficiency decreased at higher pH levels, though this effect was less severe in the pyrite-based system. The natural catalysts also showed a degree of pH self-regulation, reducing the need for chemical adjustment beneficial for practical deployment. Validation in real wastewater from a treatment plant near Madrid confirmed the systems' applicability, especially the PMS/Marcasite/Solar setup, which achieved full E. faecalis inactivation within 60 min along with a notable COD reduction. These results highlight the potential of solar-driven PMS activation using natural minerals for efficient, sustainable and low-cost wastewater disinfection.
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Keywords

AcidAopAopsBacteriaBacterial inactivationCatalystsChemical activationChemicals removal (water treatment)ContaminantsCopper compoundsDegradationDisinfectionEnterococcus faecalisInactivationIron compoundsIrradiationKineticsMineralsNatural mineral-based catalystNatural mineralsNatural minerals-based catalystsOxidationPeroxymonosulfatePhPhotocatalysisReal wastewaterSolar irradiationSolar radiationTetracyclineWastewater disinfectionWastewater treatment]+ catalyst

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 3/83, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Environmental. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-05:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 1
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-05:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 12 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Mexico; Oman.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Gaye, C) and Last Author (RODRIGUEZ CHUECA, JORGE JESUS).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been RODRIGUEZ CHUECA, JORGE JESUS.

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Project objectives

La aportación persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar el potencial fotocatalítico de los minerales naturales pirolusita, calcopirita y marcasita para la inactivación de Enterococcus faecalis en aguas residuales simuladas y reales; evaluar el efecto del peroximonosulfato (PMS) como oxidante en la mejora cinética de la desinfección y la reducción del dosaje mineral necesario; determinar la eficiencia simultánea en la eliminación de E. faecalis y tetraciclina bajo condiciones optimizadas de irradiación solar; caracterizar la influencia del pH en el desempeño del sistema y la capacidad de autorregulación de los catalizadores naturales; y validar la aplicabilidad práctica del sistema PMS/Marcasita/Solar en aguas residuales reales, incluyendo la reducción de demanda química de oxígeno (DQO).
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Most relevant results

El estudio evaluó la capacidad fotocatalítica de los minerales naturales pirita, marcasita y calcopirita para la desinfección de aguas residuales bajo irradiación solar. En condiciones sin oxidante, la pirita y la marcasita (0,5 g/L) lograron la inactivación total de Enterococcus faecalis en 90 y 30 minutos, respectivamente, mientras que la calcopirita alcanzó una reducción de 2,06 log10. La adición de peroximonosulfato (PMS) mejoró significativamente la cinética, permitiendo reducir a la mitad la dosis mineral necesaria. Bajo condiciones optimizadas, se consiguió la eliminación simultánea de E. faecalis y tetraciclina, con eficiencias de remoción del 98,99 % y 88,90 % en 30 minutos y desinfección completa en 120 y 90 minutos, respectivamente. La validación en aguas reales confirmó la eficacia del sistema PMS/Marcasita/Solar, con inactivación total en
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Awards linked to the item

This work has received financial support from Spanish MCIN/AEI/10 .13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe", through project PHOTORAS (PID2021-128165OA-I00). The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Senegal, for his mobility grant allocated to CG during this work and the support of Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. JVA appreciates financial support from SIP-IPN through Iniciacion en Investigacion a traves de la Ejecucion de Proyectos de Investigacion Cientifica y Desarrollo Tecnologico (module 20254170).
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