Development of the trifunctional catalyst carbonaceous material/ZnO/BaSnO3 for degradation of salicylic acid through the association of advanced oxidative processes

• Grant number: 25/00035-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Liana Alvares Rodrigues
• Grantee: Flávio Henrique Covolam Boldrin
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM

Abstract

This study aims to develop and evaluate a carbonaceous material/ZnO/BaSnO3 system for its properties and potential to degrade salicylic acid (SA) using various advanced oxidation processes. The selection of ZnO and BaSnO3 is based on their promising properties for applications in photocatalysis, piezocatalysis, and catalytic ozonation, as well as the suitable band alignment of the oxides. The construction of the catalytic system will involve investigating synthesis parameters and all synthesized materials will be characterized to identify their crystalline structures, absorption capacities, bandgaps, chemical structures, and morphology, enabling the evaluation and validation of their properties. Following characterization, photocatalytic tests will be performed in a batch reactor, using the coupling of the semiconductors with carbon xerogel, to determine the material with the highest photocatalytic efficiency under solar and visible light for degrading salicylic acid (SA). The material with the best performance will be used as the initial catalyst for combining different advanced oxidation processes, including photocatalysis (UV radiation), piezocatalysis, and catalytic ozonation, to identify the optimal process configuration for SA degradation. The impact of varying the ZnO and BaSnO3 content on the degradation efficiency of SA in different advanced oxidation process combinations will also be examined. Moreover, for conditions yielding the highest efficiencies in combined advanced oxidation processes, the influence of reaction parameters such as pH, salinity, and turbidity on the SA degradation efficiency will be assessed. Additionally, phytotoxicity tests on the post-treatment solutions with the best conditions (solar, visible, and combined advanced oxidation processes) will be conducted. Finally, different carbonaceous materials will be coupled with the ZnO/BaSnO3 system, with the best synthesis parameters, to compare their efficiency against carbon xerogel in the degradation of SA under solar, visible, and the best AOP association identified.