Comparative study of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems with nano/micrometric particles for the degradation of organic pollutants through in situ homolysis of oxidants

Abstract

The increasing scarcity and pollution of water bodies demands the improvement of treatment methods to treat contaminated water containing organic compounds. Among the methods used, the advanced oxidation processes using the HO* and SO4*- radicals are an interesting alternative since they result in high rates of oxidation and mineralization of organic compounds. Thus, this research project aims to perform the comparative study of i) homogeneous systems in which the radical species mentioned earlier will be generated in situ by an UVC light irradiation and ii) heterogeneous systems in which radical species will also be generated in situ by mediation of a solid catalyst based on Mn (at different crystalline phases), magnetic ferrite and graphitized carbon nitride functionalized with ferrocene. It is intended to investigate some parameters during the synthesis of solid catalysts, such as reaction time and molar ratio between reactants. For the oxidation and mineralization assays of organic compounds, investigation of the catalyst proportion and volume of oxidants (H2O2, HOCl, S2O82- and HSO5-) added, as well as the pH of the solution during treatment are intended to be carried out. Finally, it is intended to understand the activation mechanisms of each oxidant, in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, for the in situ production of HO* and SO4*- radicals and its relation to the crystalline structure and type of solid catalyst employed. (AU)