Development of Sustainable Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Photocatalytic Treatment of Effluents

Herbet B. Sales, Romualdo R. Menezes, Gelmires A. Neves, João J. N. de Souza, Jailson M. Ferreira, Laís Chantelle, André L. Menezes de Oliveira and Hélio de L. Lira
Additional contact information
Herbet B. Sales: Laboratory of Materials Technology (LTM), Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, Paraíba 58429-900, Brazil
Romualdo R. Menezes: Laboratory of Materials Technology (LTM), Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, Paraíba 58429-900, Brazil
Gelmires A. Neves: Laboratory of Materials Technology (LTM), Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, Paraíba 58429-900, Brazil
João J. N. de Souza: Laboratory of Characterization and Development of Nanomaterials (LANANO), Federal Institute of Paraiba (IFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba 58011-000, Brazil
Jailson M. Ferreira: Laboratory of Characterization and Development of Nanomaterials (LANANO), Federal Institute of Paraiba (IFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba 58011-000, Brazil
Laís Chantelle: Research and Extension Nucleus: Fuel and Materials Laboratory (NPE/LACOM), Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
André L. Menezes de Oliveira: Research and Extension Nucleus: Fuel and Materials Laboratory (NPE/LACOM), Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
Hélio de L. Lira: Laboratory of Materials Technology (LTM), Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campina Grande, Paraíba 58429-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-18

Abstract: The inadequate discharge of effluents from different sources without prior treatment can impact the characteristics of soil and water, which reflect serious environmental problems. Advanced oxidative processes (AOP) appear as a viable alternative for environmental remediation, including wastewater treatment. Herein, α-MoO 3 and α-Fe 2 O 3 semiconductors were synthesized at low temperature by a Pechini-based method and then applied in photocatalysis. The catalytic efficiency was performed under visible light toward the degradation of an organic persistent pollutant (Rhodamine B dye, RhB), commonly present in industries wastewater. The results indicated that the synthesized α-MoO 3 or α-Fe 2 O 3 photocatalysts presented a pronounced activity and promoted an efficient RhB degradation after 15 min of reaction. α-MoO 3 had a degradation efficiency of 93% and 98%, while α-Fe 2 O 3 showed 67% and 100% RhB degradation without and with the addition of H 2 O 2 , respectively. These results suggest that the synthesized oxides have high oxi-reductive capacity, which can be used for a fast and effective photodegradation of RhB and other organic persistent pollutants to minimize environmental impacts.

Keywords: molybdenum trioxide; iron oxide; heterogeneous photocatalysis; rhodamine B; wastewater treatment; photo-Fenton process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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