Advanced oxidation processes using semiconducting photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants are a promising approach for the remediation of pesticide-contaminated wastewater. High photodegradation efficiency and stability of the photocatalyst are of key importance for practical application of the semiconductor. In this study, mesoporous TiO/ZrO nanopowders were synthesized via two techniques; evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) and sol-gel using triblock copolymers Pluronic P123 and F127. The photodegradation activities of the composites were determined by employing the herbicide chloridazon as a model compound. Due to well-developed mesoporosity, the TiO/ZrO nanocomposite synthesized by EISA displays high surface area and small crystallite sizes leading to higher photocatalytic activity than pristine TiO prepared under similar condition and commercial Degussa P25 nanopowder. The optimum amount of zirconium required for the highest activities was identified and found to be 0.14 and 0.05 mol% for the EISA and sol-gel-prepared samples, respectively. Systematic studies of the post-thermal treatment step for both samples show that Zr inhibits an anatase-to-rutile phase transition only up to 600 °C, at higher temperature phase separation occurs. Samples synthesized by EISA method showed enhanced degradation activity than sol-gel-synthesized samples.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-1023-x | DOI Listing |
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
September 2024
UMR 7372, Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, La Rochelle Université & CNRS, Villiers en Bois, 79360, France.
Water Res
September 2024
Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN), University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Pesticide metabolites are frequently detected in groundwater, often exceeding the concentrations of their parent pesticides. Ceasing the application of certain pesticides has often not led to the expected decrease in metabolite concentrations in groundwater, which is potentially caused by residues in soil. Whereas pesticide residues in soils are well-documented, there are only few studies about metabolite residues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
June 2024
Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:
The availability of suitable electron donors and acceptors limits micropollutant natural attenuation in oligotrophic groundwater. This study investigated how electron donors with different biodegradability (humics, dextran, acetate, and ammonium), and different oxygen concentrations affect the biodegradation of 15 micropollutants (initial concentration of each micropollutant = 50 μg/L) in simulated nitrate reducing aquifers. Tests mimicking nitrate reducing field conditions showed no micropollutant biodegradation, even with electron donor amendment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnalyst
January 2024
State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
Chloridazon (CLZ) is a selective herbicide used in the control of annual broadleaf weeds. The misuse or abuse of CLZ may result in the accumulation of CLZ in crops and water, which can pose a risk to human health. In this study, a hapten of CLZ with three carbon spacer arms was designed and a highly sensitive and specific antibody against CLZ was prepared with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChemosphere
January 2024
Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:
Groundwater, a major source of drinking water worldwide, is often contaminated with micropollutants. Although microbial communities in aquifers and soils have the capability to biodegrade some micropollutants, this process is limited in situ. Biostimulation with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is known to promote micropollutant biodegradation, but the role of DOC biodegradability is still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!