TiO2 Decorated Sand Grains for Photodegradation of Pollutants: Methylene Blue and Ciprofloxacin Study

Abstract

This study shows a preparation and evaluation of a new non-expensive TiO 2 based photocatalyst built over sand grains surfaces as an alternative green technology for water treatment. The semiconductor covalently bonded to the silica sand grains (sand@TiO 2 ) prepared by hydrolysis of isopropoxide orthotitane over sand grains, showed a high surface area 296 m 2 g -1 and a high reaction rate for methylene blue (MB) photodegradation (0.064 min -1 ), on steady state condition by using 3 g of sand@TiO 2 and an MB solution (20 mL, 3 × 10 -5 mol L -1 ) or ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIP) solution (20 mL, 1.9 × 10 -3 mol L -1 ). Under UV irradiation with a medium pressure Hg lamp, the total MB removal reached 70% after 7 min and 45% for CIP in 60 min. Further, the photocatalyst showed to be a promising reusable material for removal of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride antibiotic (CIP) on wastewater. This new material appears as a new promising low cost and low impact reusable catalyst for water treatment. Scheme 1. Chemical structure of CIP antibiotic and methylene blue dye.

Impact of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Modification on Its Application to Pollution Treatment—A Review

“…The results showed that the degradation rates of antibiotics can reach 70% and 97%, respectively. Besides, Lcerda et al [238] and Hou et al [239] also used the TiO 2 to degrade the pharmaceutical wastewater and obtained satisfied result.…”

Batch electrocoagulation system using aluminum and stainless steel 316 plates for hospital wastewater treatment

“…Besides, methylene blue is also widely used in hospital activities such as diagnosis, antiseptic for surgery, and methemoglobinemia [3]. The presence of antibiotics and dyes in the water is hazardous since it disrupts the balance of aquatic ecosystems and has an impact on damaging the effectiveness of bacterial colonies that can decompose various substances [4]. According to the regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No P.68/MENLHK/Setjen/Kum.1/8/2016 about the organic waste quality standards, the maximum concentration of methylene blue active substances (MBAS) in hospital wastewater is 5 mg/L.…”

“…Many efforts have been performed to treat the hospital wastewater, especially those containing methylene blue [5] and antibiotic ciprofloxacin [6,7] either as a single waste by electrocoagulation or a mixture of both by photocatalysis [4]. Unfortunately, treatment for this pollutant is not easy.…”