Use of nanostructured material over titanium for the degradation of penicillin-based simulated wastewater

• Grant number: 11/07864-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Peterson Bueno de Moraes
• Grantee: Peterson Bueno de Moraes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Christiane de Arruda Rodrigues

Abstract

Recent research has shown the presence of pharmaceutical active compounds (PhAC) in soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater. These compounds, even at low concentrations, can cause deleterious effects to humans and the environment. Among the possible sources of PhAC are the effluents from pharmaceutical industries. Conventional biological treatment or physical-chemical processes present limitations for this type of wastewater or promotes sludge generation, and the research of new technologies appears to be fruitful. This work aims to develop and optimize a photo-assisted electrochemical system by solar radiation using TiO2 and TiO2-Ru loaded nano-structured electrodes for treating solution containing an penicillin-based antibiotic considered a environmental estrogen. The system will be optimized in relation to electrode preparation, treatment time, flow rate values, UV intensity, exposure time, initial characteristics of the solution and electrical current density. Through analysis of BOD, COD, TOC, HPLC, acute toxicity, pH, conductivity, absorbance and characterization of nano-structured electrode this study will use the proposed process as an alternative method and / or complementary to conventional methods normally used to treat this type of pollutant. (AU)