Development of a Novel 3D Highly Porous Structure for TiO 2 Immobilization and Application in As(III) Oxidation

Julio A. Scherer Filho, Belisa A. Marinho (), Fabiola Vignola, Luciana P. Mazur, Sergio Y. G. González, Adriano da Silva, Antônio Augusto Ulson de Souza and Selene M. A. Guelli Ulson de Souza
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Julio A. Scherer Filho: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Belisa A. Marinho: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Fabiola Vignola: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Luciana P. Mazur: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Sergio Y. G. González: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Adriano da Silva: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Antônio Augusto Ulson de Souza: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil
Selene M. A. Guelli Ulson de Souza: Laboratory of Mass Transfer (LABMASSA), Department of Chemical Engineering (EQA), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: One of the main drawbacks of the application of photocatalysis for wastewater treatment is the use of dispersed photocatalysts, which are difficult to remove from effluent after the treatment process and may pose additional toxicity to the receiving bodies. As an alternative, immobilized catalysts can be applied; however, this strategy can increase the difficulties in mass and photo transfer. This work presents the development of an inert and highly porous support for TiO 2 immobilization. The produced materials have a high surface area and contribute to diminishing the difficulties in mass and phototransfer during photocatalysis. Different types of polymeric materials were tested as support, and a Taguchi experimental design with an L9 arrangement was used to optimize the immobilization process and evaluate the effect of TiO 2 content and the use of bidding agents, ultrasound, and thermic treatment. The grey automotive polyurethane foam proved to be the best support, using 5.0% of TiO 2 (wt.%) in the immobilization suspension with Triton X as the binding agent and heat treatment during immobilization. At the optimal conditions, it was possible to achieve total As(III) oxidation (below the analytical detection limit) in 240 min, with nearly 100% As(V) present in solution at the end of the reaction (almost no As adsorption on the catalyst surface). In addition, the catalytic bed was able to promote the As(III) complete oxidation in up to five consecutive cycles without significant leaching or deactivation of the immobilized TiO 2 .

Keywords: heterogeneous photocatalysis; arsenic removal; photocatalyst immobilization; design of experiments; advanced wastewater treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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