Abstract
This research explores heterogeneous Fenton-like catalytic oxidation for the treatment of actual pharmaceutical wastewater with Cu–Fe supported on SiO₂ as an active catalyst. Catalyst preparation and characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and BET analysis for porosity, crystallinity, and active site distribution were completed. To optimize treatment parameters, response surface methodology using central composite design (CCD) investigated catalyst dosage, H₂O₂ concentration, initial pH, and reaction time for the maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The CCD determinant generated a quadratic model (R² = 0.9881) to predict experimental results, which, when confirmed via successful achievement of proposed conditions, resulted in 76.07% COD removal. This work indicates the efficiency, reproducibility and feasibility of scaling the Cu–Fe/SiO₂ catalyst for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment and is a step toward sustainability.