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In this study, the photolysis behavior of commonly used anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF) was investigated using UV-C and UV-A irradiation. In that purpose, DCF conversion kinetics, mineralization of organic content, biodegradability, and toxicity were monitored and compared. The results showed different kinetics of DCF conversion regarding the type of UV source applied. However, in both cases, the mineralization extent reached upon complete DCF conversion is rather low (≤10 %), suggesting that the majority of DCF was transformed into by-products. Formation/degradation of main degradation by-products was monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS), whereas different profiles were obtained by UV-C and UV-A photolysis. The results of bioassays revealed that biodegradability of DCF solutions remained low through the applied treatments. The toxicity of irradiated DCF solutions was evaluated using Vibrio fischeri. A significant reduction of toxicity, especially in the case of UV-A radiation, was observed upon complete degradation of DCF. In addition to toxicity reduction, calculated Log K OW values of DCF degradation by-products indicate their low potential for bioaccumulation (Log K OW ≤ 3) in comparison to the parent substance.

Sulfonamides are one of the most frequently used antibiotics worldwide. Therefore, processes that determine their fate in the environment are of great interest. In the present work, biodegradation as biotic process and hydrolysis and photolysis as abiotic processes were investigated. In biodegradation experiments, it was found out that sulfonamides (sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine) and their N -acetylated metabolites were not readily biodegradable. The results showed that decrease of concentrations were in the range from 4% for sulfadiazine to 22% for N-acetylsulfamethazine. Hydrolytic experiments examined at pH values normally found in the environment also showed their resistance. However, photolysis proved to be significant process for decreasing concentrations of sulfonamides and their metabolites in three various aqueous matrices (Milli-Q water, river water, and synthetic wastewater). In addition, influence of ubiquitous water constituents (Cl, NO, SO, PO, and humic acids) was also investigated, showing their different impact on photolysis of investigated pharmaceuticals. The results showed that photolysis followed first-order kinetics in all cases. The obtained results are very important for assesing the environmental fate of sulfonamides and their metabolites in the aquatic environment.

In the present work, alumina (Al2O3) foam was prepared by the replica method where a polyurethane (PU) foam (30 pores per inch (ppi)) template was impregnated with a 60 wt.% Al2O3 suspension. Sintered Al2O3 foam was used as substrate for the deposition of sol-gel derived titania (TiO2) film using dip coating. For the preparation of TiO2 sol, titanium(IV) isopropoxide (Ti-iPrOH) was used as the precursor. The common problem of qualification and quantification of a crystalline coating on a highly porous 3D substrate with an uneven surface was addressed using a combination of different structural characterization methods. Using Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and synchrotron Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) on bulk and powdered Al2O3 foam and TiO2-coated Al2O3 foam samples, it was determined Al2O3 foam crystallizes to corundum and coating to anatase, which was also confirmed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) revealed the structural and microstructural properties of the substrate and coating. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used to clarify the evolution of the porous microstructure. The Al2O3-TiO2 composite was evaluated as a photocatalyst candidate for the degradation of the micropollutant medication memantine. The degradation rate was monitored using a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp operating at electromagnetic (EM) wavelength of 365 nm. The photocatalytic activity of sol-gel-derived TiO2 film immobilized on the Al2O3 foam was compared with commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles, P25-Degussa, in the form of a suspension. The levels of memantine were monitored by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). The efficiency and rate of the memantine photodegradation by suspended TiO2 nanoparticles is higher than the TiO2-coated Al2O3 foam. But, from the practical point of view, TiO2-coated Al2O3 foam is more appropriate as a valuable photocatalytic composite material.

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