Investigation of multi-cycle usage of nanophotocatalysts in degradation of thiophanate-methyl

Abstract

The presence of different organic pollutants in water leads to the need to apply different technologies and processes for their removal. Organic pollutants can cause several negative impacts on surrounding environment, inducing detrimental effects on living beings. Fungicides represent one of the biggest groups of crop protective agent with increased yearly consumption, frequently ending up in non-target organisms. Therefore, aim of this study was to determine the possibility of using two synthesized nanocatalysts Ag-P25 and Ce-P25 in several consecutive removal cycles of present pollutant in water. Catalysts were applied in process of photocatalytic degradation of fungicide thiophanate-methyl at atmospheric conditions. After each irradiation cycle, catalysts were collected, rinsed, dried, and applied in upcoming operational run. Fabricated catalysts were also likened to starter TiO2 material. After fifth cycle, FTIR and XRD characterization techniques were used for proving stability of materials. Obtained results show that Ce-P25 possesses (98%) better stability than Ag-P25 (96%), but base TiO2 (99%) has the best stability and efficiency after second cycle. Gathered findings can open a new way of employing photocatalysis as a process for treatment of polluted waters from various industries.