Preparation of magnetic catalysts for application in heterogeneous photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalytic ozonation of emerging pollutants

Author(s)

Larissa Ciccotti

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2014-05-28

Examining board members

Renato Sanches Freire; Giancarlo Esposito de Souza Brito; Paola Corio; Sérgio Toshio Fujiwara; Jivaldo do Rosario Matos

• Advisor: Renato Sanches Freire

Abstract

The present work describes the preparation of magnetic catalysts for application in heterogeneous photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalytic ozonation processes, aiming the degradation of emerging pollutants. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepered as substratum of magnetic TiO2 catalysts. Several experimental variables were evaluated in the preparation of the magnetic nanoparticles, such as temperature, stirring time, sonication time, precipitation reaction stirring speed, base addition rate, dispersion stirring time, base concentration and stabilizer percentage. The influence of these parameters on particle hydrodynamic diameter and size distribution were measured by a statistical design. Depending on the experimental conditions, materials with an average size ranging between 11 nm and 35 nm and distribution between 23% and 77% were obtained. In the optimum preparation conditions, Fe3O4 magnetic particles with a hydrodynamic diameter of 18 nm and 21% distribution were obtained. The magnetic nanomaterial was used to prepare the hybrid catalysts Fe3O4@TiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emiss ion scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), BET specific surface area and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The magnetic catalysts were employed in the degradation of the emerging pollutants paracetamol; 4-methylaminoantipyrin (4-MAA); ibuprofen; 17 β-estradiol; 17 α-ethinyl estradiol, and phenol. In the treatment processes the effect pH on the systems was also varied. In general, the material Fe3O4@TiO2 showed catalytic activity in the processes of photochemical degradation and ozonation, with performance similar or, in some cases, superior to TiO2. For example, the 4-MAA mineralization, after 60 minutes of treatment, by the photolysis process reached a m aximum value of 25%. In the same treatment time by the photocatalytic process using Fe3O4@TiO2 it was obtained 66% of 4-MAA mineralization. For the ozonation process, in pH 3, after 180 minutes of treatment, 40% of 4-MAA mineralization was achieved by non-catalytic method. On the other hand, in the same treatment time employing Fe3O4@TiO2, 60% of 4-MAA mineralization was obtained. In addition, for the ozonation process using TiO2 similar results to non-catalytic ozonation were observed, which demonstrates the positive effect of the magnetic core for the activity of the catalyst. Thus, the hybrid material Fe3O4@TiO2 was efficient for the degradation of emerging pollutants employing the photocatalysis and heterogeneous catalytic ozonation processes, allowing an additional practicality for separating the catalyst from the treatment medium. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/10508-3 - Emergent pollutant degradation by advanced oxidation processes
• Grantee: Larissa Ciccotti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)