Application of Structured Sol-Gel Nb2O5 Catalyst in Photocatalytic Continuous Process Prototype for Ibuprofen Degradation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Fidelis, MZ (Author) Other; Abreu, E (Author) Other; Andreo, OAB (Author) Other; O.S.G.P. Soares (Author) FEUP; Janzen, FC (Author) Other; Lenzi, GG (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Topics in Catalysis

ISSN: 1022-5528

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

LA LSRE-LCM - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 para a Unidade LA LSRE-LCM Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-2ZK

DOI: 10.1007/s11244-023-01870-z

Abstract (EN): Three distinct sol-gel synthesis methodologies were employed to fabricate niobium catalysts supported on stainless steel meshes via the dip-coating technique, with the objective of their utilization in layered configurations for water purification applications. The structured catalysts were subjected to calcination at three varying temperatures: no calcination, calcination at 823 K, and calcination at 1173 K. Ibuprofen, selected as the model pollutant due to its emerging contaminant profile, was utilized for evaluation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) images, in conjunction with adhesion assessments, elucidated that thermally treated catalysts exhibited nearly 80% retention of Nb2O5 nanoparticles adhered uniformly to the support surface. In batch reactor experiments, the catalyst derived from the NbCl5 precursor and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) exhibited the most promising performance, achieving a 90% degradation of the contaminant within a 120 min timeframe. This catalyst, exhibiting superior efficacy, was subsequently employed in tests utilizing photocatalytic bench reactors, where it demonstrated analogous performance to that observed in the batch reactor setup. Upon upscaling to a high-capacity photocatalytic prototype, the degradation efficiency was sustained above that observed in photolytic testing, even after four utilization cycles.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 15