Optimization of Fenton process for treatment of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin antibiotics in aqueous solution

The study examined the effect of operating conditions of the Fenton process on biodegradability improvement and mineralization of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin antibiotics in aqueous solution. In addition, degradation of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin under optimum operating conditions were evaluated. The optimum operating conditions for an aqueous solution containing 104, 105 and 103 mg/L amoxicillin, ampicillin, and cloxacillin, respectively were observed to be COD/H₂O₂/Fe²⁺ molar ratio 1:3:0.30 and pH 3. Under optimum operating conditions, complete degradation of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin occurred in 2 min. In addition, biodegradability improved from 0 to 0.37 in 10 min, and COD and DOC degradation were 81.4% and 54.3%, respectively in 60 min. Maximum biodegradability (BOD₅/COD ratio) improvement was achieved in 10, 20 and 40 min at antibiotics concentration 100, 250 and 500 mg/L, respectively for each antibiotic in aqueous solution. Increase in nitrate and ammonia concentration were observed due to mineralization of organic nitrogen, concentration of nitrate increased from 0.3 to 10 mg/L and concentration of ammonia increased from 8 to 13 mg/L in 60 min. The study indicated that Fenton process can be used for pretreatment of amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin wastewater for biological treatment.     

Photocatalytic degradation of reactive brilliant blue X-BR in aqueous solution using quantum-sized ZnO

Quantum-sized ZnO was prepared using sol–gel method with zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O) and lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH·H₂O) as raw material. The ZnO particles annealed at different temperature were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The degradation rate of reactive brilliant blue X-BR in aqueous solution was used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the quantum-sized ZnO. The experimental results indicated that the photocatalytic property of the ZnO was excellent. The photocatalytic efficiency of quantum-sized ZnO was significantly influenced by the calcining heat. When calcined at 300 °C, its size is 6.78 nm and the photocatalytic performance is the best. The degradation rate of reactive brilliant blue X-BR could exceed 90% in 15 min at 35 °C, when the concentration of the quantum-sized ZnO was 0.35 mg/L.     

Effects of optical band gap energy,band tail energy and particle shape on photocatalytic activities of different ZnO nanostructures prepared by a hydrothermal method

The dependence of the crystallite size and the band tail energy on the optical properties, particle shape and oxygen vacancy of different ZnO nanostructures to catalyse photocatalytic degradation was investigated. The ZnO nanoplatelets and mesh-like ZnO lamellae were synthesized from the PEO₁₉-b-PPO₃ modified zinc acetate dihydrate using aqueous KOH and CO(NH₂)₂ solutions, respectively via a hydrothermal method. The band tail energy of the ZnO nanostructures had more influence on the band gap energy than the crystallite size. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue increased as a function of the irradiation time, the amount of oxygen vacancy and the intensity of the (0 0 0 2) plane. The ZnO nanoplatelets exhibited a better photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue than the mesh-like ZnO lamellae due to the migration of the photoelectrons and holes to the (0 0 0 1) and (0 0 0 −1) planes, respectively under the internal electric field, that resulted in the enhancement of the photocatalytic activities.     

Comparison of zinc oxide nanoparticles and its nano-crystalline particles on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue

Comparison of ZnO nanoparticles and its nano-crystalline particles on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was investigated. ZnO nanoparticles and its nano-crystalline particles were synthesized from sprayed droplets of an aqueous zinc nitrate solution by flame spray pyrolysis and spray pyrolysis assisted with an electrical furnace, respectively. ZnO nanoparticles of 20 nm in average diameter and ZnO nano-crystalline particles of 20 nm in the grain size were prepared to compare the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of those ZnO particles was evaluated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue in water under the illumination of ultraviolet rays. Effect of the particle morphology, initial concentration of methylene blue, and photocatalyst loading on the degradation of the methylene blue was investigated under the illumination of ultraviolet rays. The photocatalytic degradation capacity of the ZnO nanoparticles was higher than that of the ZnO nano-crystalline particles. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue increased with increase in photocatalyst loading and decrease in initial concentration regardless of particle morphology.     

Influence of pH and HPC concentration on the synthesis of zinc oxide photocatalyst particle from zinc-dust waste by hydrothermal treatment

This work aimed to use the waste zinc-dust from a hot-dip galvanizing plant for the synthesis of nanosized ZnO photocatalyst powder via hydrothermal treatment. ZnO particles with different morphologies and sizes were obtained by varying the solution pH (8–12) and the amount of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) dispersant (0–0.15% (w/v)) under hydrothermal treatment at 170 °C for 8 h. The influence of the preparation conditions on the properties of resultant ZnO particles were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, laser light scattering and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses. The solution pH affected the crystallinity, particle morphology and specific surface area of the obtained ZnO, which in turn influenced its photocatalytic activity. The addition of the optimum amount of HPC (0.1% (w/v)) in the starting solution acted as a dispersant to reduce ZnO particle agglomeration but had the opposite effect at higher levels. Moreover, ZnO nanorods with various aspect ratios and a diameter and length range of 20–70 nm and 100–400 nm, respectively, were obtained depending on the amount of added HPC. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO powder was improved by the addition of the optimal amount of HPC, and correlated to the particle dispersion and specific surface area.     

Synthesis,characterization and photocatalytic properties of nanostructured ZnO particles obtained by low temperature air-assisted-USP

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized in a horizontal three zones furnace at 500 °C using different zinc nitrate hexahydrate concentrations (0.01 M, 0.1 M, and 1.0 M) as a reactive precursor solution by air assisted Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) method. The physico-chemical, structural and functional properties of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) method, UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Also, the photocatalytic activities of ZnO synthesized from different precursor concentrations were evaluated by removal rate of methyleneblue (MB) under UV irradiation (365 nm) at room temperature. SEM revealed two types of ZnO nanoparticles: a quasi-spherical, desert-rose like shape of the secondary particles, which does not change significantly with the increasing of precursor solution concentration as well as some content of the broken spheres. Increasing the precursor solution concentration leads to the increase in the average size of ZnO secondary particles from 248 ± 73 to 920 ± 190 nm, XRD reveals the similar tendency for the crystallite size which changes from 23 ± 4 to 55 ± 12 nm in the analyzed region. HRTEM implies the secondary particles are with hierarchical structure composed of primary nanosized subunits. The PL spectra imply a typical broad peak of wavelength centered in the visible region exhibiting the corresponding red-shift with the increase of solution concentration: 560, 583 and 586 nm for the 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 M solution, respectively. The reported results showed the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO nanoparticles was enhanced by increased precursor concentration.     

Synthesis and characterization of Pt/BiOI nanoplate catalyst with enhanced activity under visible light irradiation

A series of Pt/BiOI nanoplate catalysts have been synthesized by a solution combination with photodeposited method at room temperature. The as-synthesized products have been investigated by photocatalytic reaction tests and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The results show that platinum has important role in promoting the photocatalytic performance of BiOI in degradation of acid orange II in an aqueous solution under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. The deposition of optimal amount of 0.2 wt% Pt brings about a two-time increase in the photocatalytic performance. The dispersed platinum nanoparticles over BiOI nanoplate could decrease the recombination rate of the e^?/h⁺ pairs, hence promoting the photocatalytic activity.     

Preparation of aluminum foil-supported nano-sized ZnO thin films and its photocatalytic degradation to phenol under visible light irradiation

The zinc oxide thin films on aluminum foil have been successfully prepared by sol–gel method with methyl glycol as solvent. The film was characterized by means of XRD, TG, UV–vis, SEM and AFM, which show that the ZnO/Al film is formed by a layer of ZnO nano-sized particles with average diameter of 52.2 nm. Under the initial concentration of 20 mg/L phenol solution (500 mL) and visible light irradiation time of 3 h, more than 40% of the initial phenol was totally mineralized using two pieces of ZnO/Al thin film as photocatalyst with an efficient irradiation area of 400 cm². It is a promising visible light responded photocatalyst for the activation of O₂ at room temperature to degrade organic pollutants.     

Effect of solvents on the synthesis of nano-size zinc oxide and its properties

The effect of the solvents on particle size and morphology of ZnO is investigated. The optical properties of nano ZnO were studied extensively. During this study, zinc oxalate was prepared in aqueous and organic solvents using zinc acetate and oxalic acid as precursors. The thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) showed formation of ZnO at 400 °C. Nano-size zinc oxide was obtained by thermal decomposition of aqueous and organic mediated zinc oxalate at 450 °C. The phase purity was confirmed by XRD and crystal size determined from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was found to be 22–25 nm for the aqueous and 14 –17 nm in organic mediated ZnO. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) also revealed different nature of surfaces and microstructures for zinc oxide obtained in aqueous and organic solvents. The UV absorption spectra showed sharp absorption peaks with a blue shift for organic mediated ZnO, due to monodispersity and lower particle size. Sharp peaks and absence of any impurity peaks in photoluminescence spectra (PLS) complement the above observations.     

ZnO films and nanorod/shell arrays electrodeposited on PET-ITO electrodes

In this work, ZnO films, nanorod and nanorod/shell arrays were synthesized on the surface of PET-ITO electrodes by electrochemical methods. ZnO films with high optical transmittance were prepared from a zinc nitrate solution using a pulsed current technique with a reduced pulse time (3 s). The X-ray diffraction pattern of ZnO film deposited on PET-ITO electrode showed that it has a polycrystalline structure with preferred orientations in the directions [0 0 2] and [1 0 3]. ZnO nanorods were synthesized on electrochemical seeded substrate in an aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine. In order to increase the stability of PET-ITO electrode to electrochemical and chemical stresses during ZnO nanorods deposition the surface of the electrode was treated with a 17 wt% NH₄F aqueous solution. Electrochemical stability of PET-ITO electrode was evaluated in a solution containing nitrate ions and hexamethylenetetramine. ZnO nanorod/shell arrays were fabricated using eosin Y as nanostructuring agent. Photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanorod and ZnO nanorod/shell arrays prepared on the surface of PET-ITO electrode were discussed comparatively. By employing the 1.5 μm-length ZnO nanorod/shell array covered with a Cu₂O film a photovoltaic device was fabricated on the PET-ITO substrate.     

Effects of carbon content on the photocatalytic activity of C/BiVO4 composites under visible light irradiation

Carbon-loaded BiVO₄ composite photocatalysts were prepared using an impregnation method, and their ability to photocatalytically degrade Rhodamine B dye solution under visible light irradiation was investigated. The prepared composite photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. We found that the carbon was well-dispersed on the surface of BiVO₄. The photocatalytic activity of the composite photocatalysts for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (>420 nm) was higher than that of pure BiVO₄. Moreover, the degradation efficiency increased as the carbon content increased up to 3 wt%. The mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity is discussed with reference to surface area, optical absorption properties, and charge separation.     

Photocatalytic behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles supported on porous aluminosilicate surface modified by cationic surfactant

In order to utilize the photocatalytic function of TiO₂ nanoparticles in materials manufactured from organic polymeric compounds, such as paper, resins, and textiles, TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on aluminosilicate, which contained 1, 5, and 10 wt% of TiO₂ were prepared by mixing commercial TiO₂ nanoparticles and porous aluminosilicate at pH 7 in a cationic surfactant aqueous solution. Most of the supported TiO₂ nanoparticles on the aluminosilicate surface were observed by TEM–EDS (energy depressive X-ray spectroscopy) analysis. TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on aluminosilicate reduced the formaldehyde concentration from 20 to 0 ppm after UV irradiation for 20 h; the reduction of formaldehyde concentration under UV irradiation was obviously different from that in the dark. Moreover, a paper mixed with 20 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on aluminosilicate bleached the stains colored with cigarette tar after UV irradiation for 6 h. However, the paper maintained its initial tensile strength even after UV irradiation for 1 year; in contrast, the paper mixed with a simple dry mixture of TiO₂ powder and aluminosilicate lost approximately half of its initial tensile strength after a year. TiO₂ nanoparticles supported on aluminosilicate could exhibit photocatalytic activity without decomposing the organic polymeric compounds.     

Microwave-assisted method for preparation of Zn1−xMgxO nanostructures and their activities for photodegradation of methylene blue

Nanostructures of Zn_1−xMg_xO (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.2) were prepared in water by one-pot method under microwave irradiation for 5 min. In this method, zinc acetate, magnesium nitrate and sodium hydroxide were used as starting materials without using any additive and post preparation treatment. The nanostructures were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. The nanostructures have wurtzite hexagonal crystalline phase and doping of Mg²⁺ ions does not change the phase of ZnO. The SEM and TEM images show that morphology of the samples is changing by doping of Mg²⁺ ions. The EIS data show that by doping the ion, interfacial charge transfer resistance of the nanostructures decreases. Photocatalytic activity of the nanostructures was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. The degradation rate constant on the nanostructures with 0.15 mol fraction of Mg²⁺ ions is about 2-fold greater than for ZnO. Moreover, influence of various operational parameters such as microwave irradiation time, calcination temperature, weight of catalyst, concentration of MB, pH of solution and scavengers of reactive species on the degradation rate constant was investigated and the results were discussed.     

Treatment of rinse water from zinc phosphate coating by batch and continuous electrocoagulation processes

Treatment of spent final rinse water of zinc phosphating from an automotive assembly plant was investigated in an electrochemical cell equipped with aluminum or iron plate electrodes in a batch mode by electrocoagulation (EC). Effects of the process variables such as pH, current density, electrode material and operating time were explored with respect to phosphate and zinc removal efficiencies, electrical energy and electrode consumptions. The optimum operating conditions for removal of phosphate and zinc were current density of 60.0 A/m², pH 5.0 and operating time of 25.0 min with Al electrode and current density of 60.0 A/m², pH 3.0 and operating time of 15.0 min with Fe electrode, respectively. The highest phosphate and zinc removal efficiencies at optimum conditions were 97.7% and 97.8% for Fe electrode, and 99.8% and 96.7% for Al electrode. The electrode consumptions increased from 0.01 to 0.35 kg electrode/m³ for Al electrode and from 0.20 to 0.62 kg electrode/m³ for Fe electrode with increasing current density from 10.0 to 100.0 A/m². The energy consumptions were 0.18–11.29 kWh/m³ for Al electrode and 0.24–8.47 kWh/m³ for Fe electrode in the same current density range. Removal efficiencies of phosphate and zinc were found to decrease when flow rate was increased from 50 to 400 mL/min in continuous mode of operation. The morphology and elements present in the sludge was also characterized by using SEM and EDX.     

ZnO/Ag nanocomposite: An efficient catalyst for degradation studies of textile effluents under visible light

Degradation of model organic dye and industry effluent was studied using different weight percentages of Ag into ZnO as a catalyst. In this study, the catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition method, which was employed for the first time in the preparation of ZnO/Ag nanocomposite catalysts. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared samples were studied using various techniques. The specific surface area, which plays an important role in the photocatalytic degradation, was studied using BET analysis and 10 wt.% Ag into ZnO showed the best degrading efficiency. The optical absorption (UV–vis) and emission (PL) properties of the samples were studied and results suggest better photocatalytic properties for 10 wt.% Ag sample compared to other samples.     

Precipitation of ZnO particles and their properties

The aqueous suspensions obtained from zinc acetate solution neutralized with varying amounts of NH₄OH solution were hydrothermally aged at 160 °C. The precipitates were characterized by XRD, Raman, B.E.T. and TEM. ZnO particles were produced by dissolution/reprecipitation mechanism from the starting precipitate. The rate of this transformation increased with an increase in pH from 7 to 10. The sizes of these ZnO particles were in the micron range and their physical shape depended on pH. Ageing of the starting aqueous suspension for 7 months at pH 10 and room temperature yielded aggregates consisting of nanosize ZnO particles (∼ 20 to ∼ 60 nm). Nanosize ZnO particles were also synthesized by the sol–gel method based on fast hydrolysis of zinc 2-ethylhexanoate dissolved in 2-propanol. It was shown that nanosize particles induced distinct spectral changes in the standard Raman spectrum of ZnO.     

New polyurethane-anatase titania porous hybrid composite for the degradation of azo-compounds wastes

New TiO₂-based organic–inorganic porous hybrid materials were developed for color degradation and tested in azo-compounds aqueous solution. Porous composite materials, with pore size between 100 and 200 μm and pore volume fraction between 62% and 76%, were synthesized using micro-particles of TiO₂ in anatase phase agglutinated with solvent-free, mono-component polyurethane; the pores were generated by the CO₂ produced during the chemical reaction. The high porosity of the samples improves the contact with the colored solution increasing the photocatalytic effect. The degradation process was well fitted using a first order chemical reaction and the constant rate k determined. The best samples showed k values of 0.091 h⁻¹ and 0.076 h⁻¹ using visible light with a power of 100 mW/cm² and k values of 1.465 h⁻¹ and 1.652 h⁻¹ using UV light with a power of 80 mW/cm²; these values are comparable or better to other reported in literature obtained under similar conditions. Additionally, the use of polyurethane increases the abrasion resistance improving the lifetime of the photocatalytic material. The materials were characterized using X-rays diffraction, SEM and UV–Vis spectroscopy.     

A study on preparation and photocatalytic characterization of conjugated polymer/ZnS complex

A conjugated polymer/ZnS complex was successfully synthesized and characterized by the methods of FTIR, UV–vis, ESR and TEM. The result showed that the conjugated polymer/ZnS complex could extend the absorption band to the visible region (190–700 nm), whereas pure ZnS could be activated under ultraviolet light (<380 nm) irradiation only. Photocatalytic experiment showed that the conjugated polymer/ZnS complex had extremely high photocatalytic activity for degradation of dyes. The conjugated polymer played an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of dyes.     

Deposition of nanostructured photocatalytic zinc ferrite films using solution precursor plasma spraying

Deposition of pure spinel phase, photocatalytic zinc ferrite films on SS-304 substrates by solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS) has been demonstrated for the first time. Deposition parameters such as precursor solution pH, concentration, film thickness, plasma power and gun-substrate distance were found to control physico-chemical properties of the film, with respect to their crystallinity, phase purity, and morphology. Alkaline precursor conditions (7 < pH ≤ 10) were found to favor oxide film formation. The nanostructured films produced under optimized conditions, with 500 mM solution at pH ～ 8.0, yielded pure cubic phase ZnFe₂O₄ film. Very high/low precursor concentrations yielded mixed phase, less adherent, and highly inhomogeneous thin films. Desired spinel phase was achieved in as-deposited condition under appropriately controlled spray conditions and exhibited a band gap of ～1.9 eV. The highly porous nature of the films favored its photocatalytic performance as indicated by methylene blue de-coloration under solar radiation. These immobilized films display good potential for visible light photocatalytic applications.     

Effects of europium doping on the photocatalytic behavior of BiVO4

Eu/BiVO₄ composite photocatalysts have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS and DRS techniques. The photocatalytic activities of these catalysts were evaluated by the decolorization of methyl orange in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). It proved that the enhanced activities of Eu/BiVO₄ composites are mainly ascribed to the dopants for the effective electron–hole separation effect, and the optimum content of the doped metal can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of the rare materials in precursor.