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Immobilized Fe (III)-doped titanium dioxide for photodegradation of dissolved organic compounds in water

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Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by utilizing Fe(III)-doped TiO2 at the visible radiation range is hereby reported. The photocatalyst was immobilized on sintered glass frits with the coating done by wet method, calcinated at 500 °C and then applied in a photodegradation reactor. The addition of a transition metal dopant, Fe(III), initiated the red shift which was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, and the photocatalyst was activated by visible radiation. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that Fe(III) doping had an effect on the crystallinity of the photocatalysts. Mixtures of DOC and associated coloured solutions were degraded in first-order kinetics, showing that the degradation process was not dependent on intermediates or other species in solution. A reactor with a catalyst coating area of 12.57 cm2 was able to degrade 0.623 mg of the dissolved material per minute. Exposure of the reactor to hostile acidic conditions and repeated use did not compromise its efficiency. It was observed that the reactor regenerates itself in the presence of visible light, and therefore, it can be re-used for more than 100 runs before the performance dropped to <95 %. The results obtained indicate that the photocatalyst reactor has a great potential of application for use in tandem with biosorbent cartridges to complement water purification methods for domestic consumption.

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Acknowledgments

IW Mwangi is grateful to OPCW (Organisation for Protection of Chemical Weapons) for running cost of this project and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for registration and bursary, the Analytical/Environmental research group for helpful discussion and Kenyatta University for granting study leave.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Doornfontein, P.O Box 17011, 2028, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Isaac W. Mwangi, J. Catherine Ngila, Titus A. M. Msagati & Joseph N. Kamau

  2. School of Chemistry & Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, P/Bag X45001, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    Patrick Ndungu

  3. Chemistry Department, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Isaac W. Mwangi

Authors
  1. Isaac W. Mwangi
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  2. J. Catherine Ngila
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  3. Patrick Ndungu
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  4. Titus A. M. Msagati
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  5. Joseph N. Kamau
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Correspondence to J. Catherine Ngila.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Mwangi, I.W., Ngila, J.C., Ndungu, P. et al. Immobilized Fe (III)-doped titanium dioxide for photodegradation of dissolved organic compounds in water. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 6028–6038 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1600-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1600-6

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