TiO[sub.2]/Zeolite Composites for SMX Degradation under UV Irradiation

• Published in: Catalysts 2024-02, Vol.14 (2)
• Main Authors: Mergenbayeva, Saule, Abitayev, Zhanibek, Batyrbayeva, Milana, Vakros, John, Mantzavinos, Dionissios, Atabaev, Timur Sh, Poulopoulos, Stavros G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical properties; Environmental aspects; Methods; Photodegradation; Structure; Sulfamethoxazole; Titanium dioxide; Ultraviolet radiation; Zeolites
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal14020147

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a common antibiotic that is considered an emerging pollutant of water bodies, as it is toxic for various aquatic species. TiO[sub.2] -based photocatalysis is a promising method for SMX degradation in water. In this work, TiO[sub.2] /zeolite (Z-45 loaded with TiO[sub.2] labeled as TZ and ZSM-5 loaded with TiO[sub.2] labeled as TZSM) composites were prepared by mechanical mixing and liquid impregnation methods, and the photocatalytic performance of these composites (200 mg·L[sup.−1] ) was investigated toward the degradation of SMX (30 mg·L[sup.−1] ) in water under UV light (365 nm). The pseudo-first-order reaction rate constant of the TZSM1450 composite was 0.501 min[sup.−1] , which was 2.08 times higher than that of TiO[sub.2] (k = 0.241 min[sup.−1] ). Complete SMX degradation was observed in 10 min using the UV/TZSM1450 system. The mineralization ability in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) removal was also assessed for all of the prepared composites. The results showed that 65% and 67% of SMX could be mineralized within 120 min of photocatalytic reaction by TZSM2600 and TZSM1450, respectively. The presence of Cl[sup.−] and CO[sub.3] [sup.2−] anions inhibited the degradation of SMX, while the presence of NO[sub.3] [sup.−] had almost no effect on the degradation efficiency of the UV/TZSM1450 system. The electrical energy per order estimated for the prepared composites was in the range of 68.53–946.48 kWh m[sup.−3] order[sup.−1] . The results obtained revealed that the TZSM1450 composite shows promising potential as a photocatalyst for both the degradation and mineralization of SMX.