Publication in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics

This work presents synthesis and characterization of iron(IV) and iron(V) compounds Na₄FeO₄ and K₃FeO₄ in solid state and in aqueous solution by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The oxidative removal efficiency was tested against five environmentally important estrogenic hormones (e.g. estron (E1)) in effluent water and compared with the efficiency of commercial K₂FeO₄. Both Fe^V and Fe^VI were effective in degrading estrogens, but Fe^IV showed limited oxidation capacity. The oxidized products of the estrogens were identified as low molecular weight oxygenated compounds such as quinone-like and opened-aromatic ring species. A detailed study on E1 by using excess of Fe^VI showed the mineralization of the parent compound. The results demonstrate a great potential of high-valent iron species in the degradation of endocrine disruptor chemicals like estrogens with several superior aspects.