Title: Influence of the type of photocatalyst on photocatalytic oxidation of triclosan in the aquatic environment

Authors: Piotr Zawadzki; Edyta Kudlek; Mariusz Dudziak

Addresses: Department of Water Protection, Central Mining Institute, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166, Katowice, Poland ' Division of Sanitary Chemistry and Membrane Process, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Water and Wastewater Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland ' Division of Water Supply and Sewage Systems, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Water and Wastewater Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Abstract: A comparative assessment of triclosan removal (an antibacterial compound) in aqueous solutions at a concentration of 1.0 mg/dm³ during an advanced oxidation process in the presence of commercial titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and photocatalysts modified with the powdered activated carbon and ultrasounds was studied. Photocatalytic processes were examined using a photocatalyst at the dose concentration of 100 mg/dm³. The influence of photocatalysts modification on triclosan sorption process and its decomposition was found. Triclosan was adsorbed in the range of 69% to 96%. After 20 minutes of the photocatalysis, triclosan decomposition was set to 91% in the presence of pure TiO₂. For the modified photocatalysts, the removal degree exceeded 99% after 10 minutes of irradiation. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model was used to describe the kinetics of triclosan degradation. Reaction kinetics showed a two-stage oxidation process in the presence of a photocatalyst modified with activated carbon and ultrasounds.

Keywords: TiO₂; photocatalysis; triclosan; modified photocatalysts; ultrasounds; activated carbon; kinetics; environmental pollution; advanced oxidation processes; photodegradation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2021.120428

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2021 Vol.20 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Accepted: 15 Jul 2021
Published online: 19 Jan 2022 *

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