Metal-free g-C3N4 photocatalysis of organic micropollutants in urban wastewater under visible light

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Nuno F. F. Moreira (Author) Other; Maria José Sampaio (Author) FEUP; Ana R. Ribeiro (Author) FEUP; Cláudia G. Silva (Author) FEUP; Joaquim L. Faria (Author) FEUP; Adrián M. T. Silva (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Vol. 248

Pages: 184-192

ISSN: 0926-3373

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 56 Citations

Associated Projects

IF/00514/2014/CP1249/CT0004 - Desafiando a síntese em química fina: uma nova abordagem utilizando fotocatalisadores isentos de metais

LED-NETmix - LED-NETmix: um fotoreator inovador para a intensificação de processos em síntese química

InSpeCt - Identifying and interrupting micropollutants of EU concern by using Smart Carbon materials

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-7TW

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2019.02.001

Abstract (EN): Heterogeneous photocatalysis under visible light was employed for the degradation of organic micropollutants (MPs) found in the biologically treated effluents of an urban wastewater treatment plant (UWWTP). The irradiation source consisted in 4 light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a nominal power of 400-500 W m(-2) at 417 nm. Metal-free exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (gCN(T)), which was synthetized through a simple thermal treatment using dicyandiamide as precursor, was employed as photocatalyst. The gCN(T) material was characterized using different techniques: N-2 adsorption isotherms at 77 K, electron microscopy (scanning and transmission) and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis. The photocatalytic performance of the material was compared to the commercial TiO2 -P25, confirming that gCN(T) led to a remarkable higher removal efficiency of the target MPs. Most of these MPs were removed in less than 10 min to levels below the limit of quantification (carbamazepine > isoproturon > clopidogrel > diclofenac > atenolol > bezafibrate > tramadol > venlafaxine > fluoxetine). Indirect photolysis, resulting from the secondary reactive oxidants generated during the irradiation of the aqueous matrix components, was found to partially contribute for the elimination of the occurring MPs. In addition, the gCN(T) photocatalyst was immobilized on glass rings for use under continuous mode operation, a minimum residence time of 25 min being required to attain significant removal efficiencies. Phytotoxicity experiments showed that heterogeneous photocatalysis did not enhance the toxicity of the wastewaters.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9