Photocatalytic degradation of Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, and Tenofovir in water using the UV/TiO2/H2O2 hybrid system

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the removal of antiretroviral (ARV) drug residues of emtricitabine (FTC), lamivudine (LVD), and Tenofovir (TFV) from water using the UV/TiO2/H2O2 hybrid system. Evaluations of operational factors, degradation kinetics, scavenger effects, degradation pathways, and reusability of the catalyst were the key objectives of the study. The central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for statistical analysis and process optimization. Five variables (pH, pollutant concentration, TiO2 loading, H2O2 dosage and time) were optimized. The removal realized was 92.56% (FTC), 91.67% (LVD), and 94.83% (TFV) respectively under optimum conditions. The degradations obeyed the pseudo-first-order model with the rate constant (k1) of 0.10773 min− 1 (FTC), 0.0513 min− 1 (TFV,) and 0.04756 min− 1 (LVD). pH and H2O2 had positive influence on pollutant removals up to optimum conditions. The •OH and h+ were the major contributors to pollutant degradations. The degradation of target compounds in water has not yet been reported using the UV/TiO2/H2O2, as far as the authors are aware. Moreover, the reaction kinetics and degradation pathway of FTC and TFV have not yet been studied. The research shows that the UV/TiO2/H2O2 hybrid system may provide an alternative treatment method for the ARVs in water.