UV and solar light photocatalytic removal of organic contaminants in municipal wastewater

ABSTRACT

This study investigated UV and solar photocatalysis of organic pollutants in municipal wastewater using metal-ion (Ag, Cu and Fe) doped TiO₂ photocatalysts. The effects of pH and catalyst dosage on photocatalytic performance were determined. The best performance was obtained using 0.5 g/L catalyst concentration and pH 6, and the treated water met specific requirements of the drinking water quality standards (phenol ≤10 μg/L) and wastewater effluents for discharge chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels (<30 mg/L). The photocatalysts were effective under both UV and visible light, thereby overcoming the limitation of TiO₂ which is only effective under UV light.

KEYWORDS:

• Doping
• phenol
• photocatalysis
• titanium dioxide
• wastewater

Acknowledgements

The Egypt/South Africa joint project collaboration is highly appreciated.

Funding

The authors thank the National Research Foundation (NRF), the South African Research Chair Innovation Programme and the Tshwane University of Technology for funding this study.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank the National Research Foundation (NRF), the South African Research Chair Innovation Programme and the Tshwane University of Technology for funding this study.