Comparative study between advanced oxidative processes

• Grant number: 15/06538-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Laura Tiemi Okano
• Grantee: Douglas Negri Rocha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nowadays, the conservation of the environment is a major topic in discussion. Drinking water has become an increasingly scarce resource. For this reason, it is necessary to develop new technologies for the treatment of pollutants found in wastewater, soil or atmosphere. In this context, Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOP) have emerged as a powerful tool for elimination of several classes of contaminants. AOP employ a very strong oxidant, the presence or absence of a catalyst and a suitable wavelength light for the degradation of recalcitrant contaminants found in the environment. Traditionally, POA use the hydroxyl radical as oxidizing agent, however lately; the sulfate anion radical has also been investigated as alternative oxidant. In this research project, we propose a comparative evaluation of POA. We will focus our attention on the photo-Fenton process and the heterogeneous photocatalysts, prepared by Pechini method with different proportions of Nb and Ti to degrade organic substances such as aromatics (phenol), aliphatic alcohols (n-butanol) and textile dyes. The photodegradation of these compounds will be followed by measurements of UV-vis light absorption, content of total organic carbon (TOC) and, depending on the substrate, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for the investigation of the intermediaries formed during the process. A second objective of this project is to enable the student to learn how the POA (photo-Fenton reaction and heterogeneous photocatalysis) work. He could apply this knowledge to start investigating the use of sulfate radical anion as oxidant along or not with the hydroxyl radical to the degradation of organic compounds.