Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

The role of pH in the decomposition of organic micropollutants during the heterogeneous photocatalysis process

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The study investigated that the change in the pH ranged from 5 to 7 affects the adsorption degree of selected organic micropollutants such as: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene), pharmaceutical compounds (diclofenac) and industrial additives (octylphenol and pentachlorophenol) on the photocatalyst surface (100 mg TiO2/dm3). For example, in suspension of pH 5 a 12% reduction in the concentration of octylphenol was noted, while in the suspension of pH 7 the concentration of this compound was reduced by 64%. In the case of anthracene an inverse relationship was observed. The concentration of this micropollutant decreased by 94% for pH 5 and only by 61% for pH 7 suspension. With the commencement of UV irradiation of reaction mixtures a gradual increase in the concentration of micropollutants reduction in aqueous solutions was observed. This indicates the decomposition of compounds as a result of their reaction with highly reactive OH radicals or other reactive oxygen species generated during the process. For reaction mixtures of pH 7, already in the first 15 minutes, higher degrees of removal of micropollutants ware observed compared to suspension of pH 6. The obtained micropollutants removal degrees exceeded 91% for diclofenac, octylphenol, pentachlorophenol and amounted to 100% for anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication9th Conference on Interdisciplinary Problems in Environmental Protection and Engineering, EKO-DOK 2017
EditorsKatarzyna Piekarska, Malgorzata Kutylowska, Agnieszka Trusz-Zdybek, Bartosz Kazmierczak
PublisherEDP Sciences
ISBN (Electronic)9782759890163
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 May 2017
Event9th Conference on Interdisciplinary Problems in Environmental Protection and Engineering, EKO-DOK 2017 - Boguszow-Gorce, Poland
Duration: 23 Apr 201725 Apr 2017

Publication series

NameE3S Web of Conferences
Volume17
ISSN (Electronic)2267-1242

Conference

Conference9th Conference on Interdisciplinary Problems in Environmental Protection and Engineering, EKO-DOK 2017
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityBoguszow-Gorce
Period23/04/1725/04/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Energy
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The role of pH in the decomposition of organic micropollutants during the heterogeneous photocatalysis process'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this