Journal Article

Removal of Carbamazepine in Aqueous Solution by TiOsub.2 Ceramic Photo-Catalyst under Simulated Solar Light: Kinetics, Effects of Environmental Factors and Degradation Pathways

Oanh, Nguyen Thi Kieu, Luyen, Le Hong, Nghia, Trinh Hoang, Ouillon, Sylvain, Khanh, Vu Toan, Van Anh, Nguyen Thi, Negishi, Nobuaki, Vu, Cam Tu, Van Hoi, Bui

2023

Overview

Current research on the photocatalytic activity of TiO[sub.2] mainly focuses on its nano- or micro-particle forms, which are difficult to recycle and apply in real engineering applications. This study aims to apply a small pilot of TiO[sub.2] in the ceramic form to remove carbamazepine (CBZ) from an aqueous solution under simulated sunlight. A high removal efficiency up to >99% was shown in a 5 mg L[sup.−1] CBZ solution after 6 h of irradiation with a total energy of 150.92 kJ. The kinetic degradation was not affected in an alkaline solution (at pH 7, pH 10, and pH 13) but was faster under acidic conditions (pH 2) in which CBZ existed in the protonated form. The presence of NO[sub.3] [sup.−] (10-50 mg L[sup.−1]) slightly affected the photodegradation of CBZ while humic acid significantly reduced the photocatalytic activity. In addition, the presence of major ions in water also had a negative effect at concentrations between 10 and 50 mg L[sup.−1]. The MS/MS was used to identify the transformation products of CBZ, and a possible degradation mechanism was proposed. The toxicity of CBZ and the by-products was primarily evaluated. The results showed that TiO[sub.2] ceramics show high reusability and stability with a photocatalytic performance of >95% and a mass loss of <5% after 90 degradation cycles.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Carbamazepine