Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Photodegradation using TiO2-activated borosilicate tubes

  • Advanced Oxidation Process for Sustainable Water Management
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examines the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) semiconductor supported on borosilicate tubes (cut-off 290 nm) towards removal of a mix of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from water. For this purpose, two widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen (IBU) and mefenamic acid, along with MCPA sodium monohydrate, which is a common herbicide frequently used in the agricultural activities, were selected as a case study. Borosilicate tubes were coated with titanium oxide through two different approaches: sol-gel dip-coating and a hybrid nanoparticle dip-coating and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) process. The photochemical reactor that hosts the titania-coated tubes was designed to permit continuous throughput of liquid feed stream. The photodegradation experiments were performed in laboratory conditions under artificial irradiation simulating solar light. The efficiency of direct photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis (TiO2) was investigated, and the performance of each coating method was evaluated. Kinetic studies for each experiment were accomplished, the overall results showed poor efficiency and insufficient removal for NSAIDs through direct photolysis, whereas applying heterogeneous photacatalysis with TiO2 coated on borosilicate tubes was found to accelerate their degradation rate with complete decomposition. Concomitantly, kinetic experimental results showed a critical difference of performance for the two coating methods used; in particular, the degradation rates of pollutants by the sol-gel-coated tubes were much faster than the degradation by the nanoparticle/PECVD-coated tubes. Using TiO2 supported on borosilicate tubes appears to be a promising alternative to conventional TiO2 suspension and avoid post-separation stages. The results achieved in this study can be used to optimise large-scale applications, and expanding the study to cover a wide range of pollutants will lead to achieve more representative results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Scheme 1
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen SJ, Balasundaram V, Armenante PM, Thom L, Kafkewitz D (1995) Contrasting adsorption exhibited by lignite-based activated carbons. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 64(3):261–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Atkarskaya AB (1998) The effect of sol-gel film composition on diffusion of glass substrate components. Glas Ceram 55(5–6):141–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baelum J, Henriksen T, Hansen H, Jacobsen CS (2006) Degradation of 4-Chloro-2-Methylphenoxyacetic acid in top- and subsoil is quantitatively linked to the class III tfdA gene. Appl Environ Microbiol 72(2):1476–1486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bedford NM, Pelaez M, Han C, Dionysiou DD, Steckl AJ (2012) Photocatalytic cellulosic electrospun fibers for the degradation of potent cyanobacteria toxin microcystin-LR. J Mater Chem 22:12666–12674

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behnajady MA, Modirshahla N, Daneshvar N, Rabbani M (2007) Photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye in a tubular continuous-flow photoreactor with immobilised TiO2 on glass plates. Chem Eng J 127:167–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne C, Nolan M, Banerjee S, John H, Jose S, Periyat P, Pillai SC (2018) Advances in the development of novel photocatalysts for detoxification in: visible light-active photocatalysis: nanostructured catalyst design, mechanisms, and applications, Ghosh S editor, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. pp 283–327

  • Chen YJ, Dionysiou DD (2008) Bimodal mesoporous TiO2-P25 composite thick films with high photocatalytic activity and improved structural integrity. Appl Catal B 80(1–2):147–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen YJ, Stathatos E, Dionysiou DD (2008) Microstructure characterization and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 films with ultrafine anatase nanocrystallites. Surf Coat Technol 202(10):1944–1950

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiron S, Minero C, Vione D (2007) Photodegradation of phenolic compounds relevant to estuarine waters. Ann Chim 97:135–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costacurta S, Maso GD, Gallo R, Guglielmi M, Brusatin G, Falcaro P (2010) Influence of temperature on the photocatalytic activity of sol−gel TiO2 films. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2(5):1294–1298

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Costacurta S, Falcaro P, Vezzù S, Colasuonno M, Scopece P, Zanchetta E, Guglielmi M, Patelli A (2011) Fabrication of functional nanostructured coatings by a combined sol–gel and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition method. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 60(3):340–346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Damodar RA, You SJ, Chou H (2009) Study the self cleaning, antibacterial and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 entrapped PVDF membranes. J Hazard Mater 172(2–3):1321–1328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falcaro P, Zaccariello G, Stoyanova V, Benedetti A, Costacurta S (2014) Temperature matters: an infrared spectroscopic investigation on the photocatalytic efficiency of Titania coatings. Sci Adv Mater 6:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Formenti M, Juillet F, Meriaudeau P, Teichner SJ (1971) Heterogeneous photo-catalysis for partial oxidation of paraffins. Chem Technol 1(2):680–686

    Google Scholar 

  • Formenti M, Juillet F, Meriaudeau P, Teichner SJ (1972a) Photocatalytic oxidation mechanism of Isobutane in contact with titanium dioxide (TiO2). Soc Chim Fr 1315–1320

  • Formenti M, Juillet F, Meriaudeau P, Teichner SJ, Vergnon P (1972b) Preparation in a hydrogen–oxygen flame of ultrafine metal oxide particles. Oxidative properties toward hydrocarbons in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. J Colloid Interface Sci 39(1):79–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • George T, Franklin LB, David HS (2003) Wastewater engineering treatment and reuse. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. McGraw-hill education, 2003 - Technology & Engineering, p 1819

  • Gimeno O, Rivas J, Encinas A, Beltran F (2010) Application of advanced oxidation processes to Mefenamic acid elimination. World Acad Sci Eng Technol 4:882–884

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibhadon AO, Fitzpatrick P (2013) Heterogeneous Photocatalysis: recent advances and applications. Catalyst 3(1):189–218

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khalaf S, Rimawi F, Khamis M, Zimmerman D, Shuali U, Nir S, Scrano L, Bufo S, Karaman R (2013a) Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment plant system and laboratory-scale micelle-clay filtration for the removal of ibuprofen residues. J Environ Sci Health B 48(9):814–821

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khalaf S, Rimawi F, Khamis M, Nir S, Bufo S, Scrano L, Mecca G, Karaman R (2013b) Efficiency of membrane technology, activated charcoal, and a micelle-clay complex for removal of the acidic pharmaceutical mefenamic acid. J Environ Sci Health A 48(13):1655–1662

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin Y, Ferronato C, Deng N, Chovelon JM (2011) Study of benzylparaben photocatalytic degradation by TiO2. Appl Catal B Environ 104(3–4):353–360

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu L, Liu Z, Bai H, Sun DD (2012) Concurrent filtration and solar photocatalytic disinfection/degradation using high-performance ag/TiO2 nanofiber membrane. Water Res 46(4):1101–1112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu MC, Roam GD, Chen JN, Huang CP (1993) Factors affecting the photocatalytic degradation of dichlorvos over titanium dioxide supported on glass. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 76(1-2):103–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malato S (2008) Removal of emerging ContaminantsinWaste-water treatment:removal by photo-catalytic processes. The handbook of. Environ Chem 5(S/2):177–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Maria K, Dionissios M, Despo K (2008) Removal of residual pharmaceuticals from aqueous systems by advanced oxidation processes. Environ Int 35(2):402–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews RW (1987) Photooxidation of organic impurities in water using thin films of titanium dioxide. J Phys Chem 91(12):3328–3333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews RW (1989) Kinetics of photocatalytic oxidation of organic solutes over titanium dioxide. J Catal 111(2):264–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patelli A, Vezzù S, Zottarel L, Menin E, Sada C, Martucci A, Costacurta S (2009) SiOx-based multilayer barrier coatings produced by a single PECVD process. Plasma Process Polym 6:S665–S670

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pelaez M, Falaras P, Likodimos V, Kontos AG, de la Cruz AA, O’Shea K, Dionysiou DD (2010) Synthesis, structural characterization and evaluation of sol-gel-based NF-TiO2 films with visible light-photoactivation for the removal of microcystin-LR. Appl Catal B 99(3–4):378–387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pelizzetti EM, Minero MC, Pramauro CV, Zerbinati PE, Tosato ML (1990) Photocatalytic degradation of atrazine and other s-triazine herbicide. Envion Sci Technol 24(10):1559–l565

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pruden AL, Ollis DF (1983) Photoassisted heterogeneous catalysis: the degradation of trichloroethylene in water. J Catal 82(2):404–417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rana S (2009) The photocatalytic degradation of priority pollutants. Master theses, University of Thapar

  • Renge VC, Khedkar SV, Thanvi NJ (2012) Photocatalytic-oxidation and reactors. Int J Adv Eng Technol 3:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Romanos GE, Athanasekou CP, Katsaros FK, Kanellopoulos NK, Dionysiou DD, Likodimos V, Falaras P (2012) Double-side active TiO2 modified nanofiltration membranes in continuous flow photocatalytic reactors for effective water purification. J Hazard Mater 211:304–316

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serpone N, Borgarello E, Harries R, Cahill P, Pelizzetti E (1986) Photocatalysis over TiO2 on a glass substrate. Sol Energy Mater 14(2):121–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stasinakis AS (2008) Use of selected advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for wastewater treatment - a mini review. Global NEST 10(3):376–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Vione D, Khanra S, Das R, Minero C, Maurino V, Brigante M, Mailhot G (2010) Effect of dissolved organic compounds on the Photodegradation of the herbicide MCPA in aqueous solution. Wat Res 44(20):6053–6062

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) (1994)

  • Wu CH (2008) Effects of operational parameters on the decolorization of C.I reactive red 198 in UV/TiO2-based system. Dyes Pigments 77(2):31–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu X, Yuan C, Bao Y, Yang J, Wu Y (2005) Photocatalytic degradation of pesticide pyridaben on TiO2 particles. J Mol Catal A Chem 229(1–2):95–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Eng. Stefano Costacurta from Symera Srl, Italy, and Eng. Alessandro Patelli from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Italy, for the great efforts that had exerted in the manufacturing and for the characterisation of the TiO2-activated borosilicate tubes used in this research work. This work was supported by the European Commission in the framework of the Project “Diffusion of nanotechnology based devices for water treatment and recycling- NANOWAT” (ENPI CBC MED I.B/2.1/049, Grant No. 7/1997).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy

    Samer Khalaf & Sabino A. Bufo

  2. Soil and Hydrology Research Lab (SHR), Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine

    Samer Khalaf & Jawad H. Shoqeir

  3. Department of European Cultures (DICEM), University of Basilicata, 85100, Potenza, Italy

    Laura Scrano

  4. Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, 20002, Palestine

    Rafik Karaman

Authors
  1. Samer Khalaf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jawad H. Shoqeir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Laura Scrano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rafik Karaman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sabino A. Bufo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samer Khalaf.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Suresh Pillai

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOC 754 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khalaf, S., Shoqeir, J.H., Scrano, L. et al. Photodegradation using TiO2-activated borosilicate tubes. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 19025–19034 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2858-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2858-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation