The Oxidation of Di-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) in Aqueous Solution by UV/H2O2 Photolysis

The oxidation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in solution using UV/H₂O₂ and direct UV photolysis are analyzed in this study. It was found that DEHP was 100% removal in the solution by 180-min UV/H₂O₂ treatment and 73.5% removal by 180-min direct UV photolysis. The effect of different factors, such as DEHP concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, and UV light intensity, on photochemical degradation was investigated. The degradation mechanism of DEHP and the acute toxicity of intermediates were also studied. The photochemical degradation process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. The results of our study suggested that the concentration with 40 mg/L H₂O₂ and 5 μg/mL DEHP in the solution at pH 7 with 10.0?×?10^?6 Einstein l^?1?s^?1 UV was the optimal condition for the photochemical degradation of DEHP. The photochemical degradation with UV/H₂O₂ can be an efficient method to remove DEHP in wastewater.     

Visible Light Induced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange by Polythiophene/TiO2 Composite Particles

The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under visible light illumination by polythiophene/titanium dioxide (PTh/TiO₂) composite particles were studied. The experimental observations from UV–vis spectrophotometer indicate that MO molecules were degraded in a different degree during the visible light-induced photocatalysis reaction. We propose a new degradation mechanism of MO during the photocatalytic reaction, based on blue shift of UV–vis absorption spectra of MO solution and other researches. The data from total organic carbon analyzer definitely prove that MO can be mineralized to CO₂ and H₂O, and some intermediate products are generated during the photocatalysis degradation of MO.     

Estimated Quantities and Trends of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in US Municipal Solid Waste Based on Analysis of Incinerator Ash

The degradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) in aqueous solution by titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis has been investigated in our research. DEP was completely removed in the solution by 50-min irradiation. Results show that DEP degradation rate was affected by initial DEP concentration, photocatalyst amount, light intensity, and pH. Photocatalytic degradation intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major intermediates are methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, and carboxylic derivatives. The photocatalytic degradation process was found to obey first-order reaction. Consequently, the result of photocatalytic degradation could be an efficient method of DEP removal from wastewater.     

Biodegradability of Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate by Pseudomonas Fluorescens FS1

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), one of high-molecular weightphthalate esters (PAEs), is used in the manufacturing of polyvinylchloride (PVC) resins, polyvinyl acetate, cellulosics,and polyurethanes, and contributes to environmental pollution. In this article, the characteristics of DEHP biodegradation by aneffective degradation bacterium, Pseudomonasfluorescens FS1 that isolated from the activated sludge at a petrochemicalfactory, was capable of using phthalate esters as the sole carbonand energy source, were investigated. Experimental results showedthat the biodegradation of DEHP by P. fluorescens FS1 could be described by the first-order reaction model, whichcould be expressed as: lnC = –0.0688t + A, and the half-life ofDEHP biodegradation was 10.07 d when the initial concentrations of DEHP were less than 50 mg L^-1. The inhibition effects ofDEHP as a substrate had become predominant above the concentration of 50 mg L^-1. The PAEs-degrading enzyme of P. fluorescens FS1, mainly located in the soluble part andthe particle of cytoplasm, was an intracellular enzyme. The metabolites of DEHP degradation by P. fluorescens FS1, which monoester, phthalic acid, benzonic acid, phenol, wereextracted using dichloromethane at different time intervals and identified by the GC-MS. The tentative pathway proposed for degradation of DEHP by P. fluorescens FS1 under aerobic condition is monoester in the beginning, further enzymatic degradation of the monoester produces phthalic acid, benzonic acid, phenol and finally CO₂ and H₂O.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Textile Dye and Wastewater

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of commercial azo dye (Remazol Red 133) in the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) suspensions as photocatalyst was investigated. The effect of various operational parameters, such as pH of dye solution and catalyst concentration on the photocatalytic degradation process, was examined. The mineralization of dye was also evaluated by measuring the chemical oxygen demand of the dye solutions. The extent of photocatalytic degradation was found to increase with increasing TiO₂ concentration. For the Remazol Red dye solutions, a 120-min treatment resulted in 97.9% decolorization and 87.6% degradation at catalyst loading of 3 g/L. Experiments using real textile wastewater were also carried out. Textile wastewater degradation was enhanced at acidic conditions. The decolorization and degradation efficiencies for textile wastewater were 97.8% and 84.9% at pH 3.0, catalyst loading of 3 g/L, and treatment time of 120 min.     

Remediation of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil by soil washing and subsequent TiO2 photocatalytic degradation

Purpose

An efficient method was developed for treating polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil by soil washing and subsequent TiO₂ photocatalytic degradation, and the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of PCBs was explored.

Materials and methods

Hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin (HP??CD) and polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35) were used to extract PCBs from contaminated soil at first, and then the degradation of PCBs in the soil extracts was performed by TiO₂ photocatalysis under UV irradiation.

Results and discussion

Washing conditions including washing time, the concentration of HP??CD/Brij35, and the ratio of soil mass to solution volume for extracting 2,4,4??-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB28) from a PCB28-spiked soil were investigated at first. The results indicated that both HP??CD and Brij35 exhibited good performance. The intermediates of photocatalytic degradation of PCB28 were from its dechlorination and hydroxylation in the HPCD and aqueous solutions, respectively. A field PCB-contaminated soil from e-waste recycling sites was treated by this method. The results showed that the extracting percentage was significantly affected by the chlorination degree of PCBs, and HP??CD slowed down the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of overall PCBs.

Conclusions

Soil washing and subsequent TiO₂ photocatalytic degradation was successfully applied for treating PCB-contaminated soil, and HP??CD strongly altered the pathways of the photocatalytic degradation of PCBs.     

Comparative Study on Photocatalytic Degradation of Mono Azo Dye Acid Orange 7 and Methyl Orange under Solar Light Irradiation

The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the kinetic photocatalytic degradation of mono azo dyes Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and Methyl Orange (MO) under solar light irradiation with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a photocatalyst. Several operational parameters affecting the photocatalytic degradation of dye were evaluated such as different azo dyes, initial dye concentration, TiO₂ dosage, with and without aeration and sunlight irradiation. The data obtained was well fitted with the Langmuir?CHinshelwood kinetic model. It was observed that the pseudo-first-order rate constants for AO7 were higher than MO in all cases, indicating that the photocatalytic degradation of AO7 was easier and more rapid than MO. The analysis of chemical oxygen demand and UV?CVis spectra shows the AO7 and MO not only being decolorized due to the breakdown of azo bond but also being mineralized if the azo dye solutions were continually exposed to solar light irradiation after the decolorization process.     

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic N-Doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for Degradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5) Dye

Bisphenol A (BPA) and reactive black 5 (RB5) dye are among the most persistent and non-biodegradable contaminants in water which require an urgent need for the development of effective removal method. The ubiquitous existence of both contaminants could interfere with the human health and aquatic environmental balance. Photocatalytic process as one of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) has shown high performance for degradation of organic compounds to the harmless materials under sensible condition. Therefore, this study aims to develop a visible-light-driven photocatalyst that can efficiently degrade BPA and RB5 present in household water. N-doped TiO₂ were successfully synthesized via simple and direct sol–gel method. The prepared TiO₂ nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Brunauere Emmette Teller (BET) analysis. The incorporation of nitrogen in TiO₂ lattice exhibited excellent optical responses to visible region as revealed by UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy absorption capability at 400–600 nm. The photocatalytic activity of the N-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles was measured by photocatalytic degradation of BPA and RB5 in an aqueous solution under visible-light irradiations. Degradation of BPA and RB5 was 91.3% and 89.1%, respectively after 360 min illumination. The degradation of BPA and RB5 by N-doped TiO₂ was increased up to 89.8% and 88.4%, respectively under visible-light irradiation as compared to commercial TiO₂ P25. This finding clearly shows that N-doped TiO₂ exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation of BPA and RB5 under visible irradiation, hence have a promising potential in removing various recalcitrant contaminants for water treatment to fulfill the public need to consume clean water.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Synergistic Degradation of Eosin Y by Photocatalysis and Electrocatalysis in UV Irradiated Solution Containing Hybrid BiOCl/TiO2 Particles

The present work focused on treatment of eosin (EO) by photocatalysis (PC) combined with electrocatalysis (EC) process. Bismuth oxychloride/titanium dioxide (BiOCl/TiO₂) hybrid particles, which were used as new heterogeneous photocatalysts, were exploited in a reverse microemulsion approach and were characterized by XRD, UV?CVis diffuse spectra, BET, and SEM technologies. All degradation experiments were performed using a self-assemble experimental setup, in which PC and EC could be carried out simultaneously or individually. The results indicated that BiOCl/TiO₂ showed enhanced photocatalytic performance under UV irradiation, and 50% BiOCl/TiO₂ exhibited the best photoactivity due to its high degree of crystallization, the mesoporous structure and corresponding large special surface area, improved absorption ability in UV region, and the heterojunction formed between two coupling particles. The combined degradation process displayed synergistic effect on the degradation of EO owing to the generation of H₂O₂ at graphite cathode. The parameters such as, pH, reaction current, and initial concentration of EO were monitored in order to optimize the operating conditions. Pseudo-first-order kinetics was proposed and roughly fitted the combined degradation of EO. The combined system in this work suggested a new research idea for the degradation of dye wastewater.     

Microstructures and Photocatalytic Properties of Fe3+/Ce3+ Codoped Nanocrystalline TiO2 Films

Fe³⁺ and Ce³⁺ codoped titanium dioxide films with high photocatalytic activity were successfully obtained via the improved sol?Cgel process. The as-prepared specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, Brunauer?CEmmett?CTeller (BET) surface area, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and UV?CVis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the films were evaluated by degradation of various organic dyes in aqueous solutions. The results of XRD, FE-SEM, and BET analyses indicated that the TiO₂ film had nanostructure. With the codoping of Fe³⁺ and Ce³⁺, TiO₂ photocatalysts with smaller crystal size, larger surface area, and larger pore volume were obtained. Moreover, codoped ions could obviously not only suppress the formation of brookite phase but also inhibit the transformation of anatase to rutile at high temperature. Compared with pure TiO₂ film, Fe³⁺ doped or Ce³⁺ doped TiO₂ film, the Fe³⁺/Ce³⁺ codoped TiO₂ film exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity. It is believed that the surface microstructure of the films and the doping methods of the ions are responsible for improving the photocatalytic activity.     

TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline as affected by a series of environmental factors

Purpose

TiO₂ photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solution under UV irradiation was investigated as affected by different environmental factors, including cations, anions, organic acids, and surfactants.

Materials and methods

The solution of TC with TiO₂ was irradiated by medium mercury lamp. The concentrations of TC and metal ions were analyzed by HPLC and AAS, respectively. The degradation efficiency of TC was calculated based on TC disappearance.

Results and discussion

Photocatalysis was very effective for TC removal. The degradation efficiency of TC was significantly enhanced in the presence of Cu²⁺/Pb²⁺, SO₄ ^2?/Cl^?, and humic acid (HA) in the examined range, but did no change with Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, or Zn²⁺. In addition, the results also showed that solution Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions could be reduced during the process, while Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ were still kept in the solution. However, tannic acid (TA), gallic acid (GA), citric acid (CA), salicylic acid (SA), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD), polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35), or polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween80) significantly decreased the degradation efficiency of TC.

Conclusions

The photocatalytic approach could be successfully applied to remove TC, and environmental factors significantly influenced its degradation efficiency. It would be useful to understand the environmental behaviors of TC and for the implementation of remediation strategies of TC.     

Effect of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on microbial biomass C and enzymatic activities in soil

The effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) at five different doses from 10 to 1000 mg kg⁻¹ soil on biological properties were investigated over a period of 56 days. Meanwhile, the dissipation of DEHP was also monitored. The results indicated that the microbial biomass C (C_mic) fluctuated at around 70 mg kg⁻¹ soil for the control, whereas the C_mic varied significantly for the soil samples contaminated by DEHP. The catalase activities in all five treatments were stimulated at most time, and the activities of phosphatase in the soils treated by DEHP with 500 mg kg⁻¹ or 1000 mg kg⁻¹ were significantly higher than the other treatments from the 20th day. Urease was more sensitive and inhibited significantly during the initial period of incubation. Additionally, the dose–response relationship of invertase was presented in the later phase of incubation. The activities of urease and invertase might indicate soil perturbations caused by the introduction of DEHP. The dissipation of DEHP was found to follow the pseudo first-order kinetics behavior.     

TiO2纳米粒子气固相光催化降解乙烯初探

该文对TiO₂纳米粒子气固光催化降解果蔬贮藏环境乙烯技术进行了初步研究。采用溶胶-凝胶法制备的纳米TiO₂薄膜作光催化剂，利用自行设计的气固光催化实验系统，研究了乙烯浓度、紫外光作用时间对光催化降解反应的影响，探讨了乙烯的光催化降解的动力学。结果显示：该研究所制备的TiO₂锐钛矿型含量为48.766%，比表面积为47.186 m²/g，具有良好的光催化性能；光催化降解乙烯比直接紫外线光降解效果显著，光照10 min时光催化乙烯降解率比直接紫外线光降解提高23.76%；乙烯的降解率随着其浓度的增加而降低；乙烯的光催化降解的动力学可以用Langmuir-Hinshelwood动力学方程加以描述。     

Degradation of Leather Dye Using CeO2–SnO2 Nanocomposite as Photocatalyst Under Sunlight

Nanocomposite of CeO₂?CSnO₂ containing different CeO₂ contents was prepared by coprecipitation process. The material obtained was characterized by X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption?Cdesorption isotherms. Its photocatalytic activity was tested in the degradation of azo dye of leather, Direct Black 38, in aqueous solution under sunlight. The photocatalytic activity of the coupled CeO₂?CSnO₂ oxide ranged depending on the CeO₂ contents. The optimum amount of CeO₂ for the synthesis of CeO₂?CSnO₂ was 7?wt.% since the nanoparticles showed high photocatalytic activity in the degradation of the dye, similar to that of the TiO₂?CP25 photocatalyst. The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation and total organic carbon removal under sunlight were found to follow a first-order rate law. The results indicated that CeO₂?CSnO₂ can be used for the removal of dyes from wastewater.     

Degradation of Hazardous Dyes in Wastewater using Nanometer Mixed Crystal TiO2 Powders under Visible Light Irradiation

The partial phase transformation of nanometer TiO₂ powder from anatase phase to rutile phase was realized by heat-treatment and a new TiO₂ photocatalyst which could be excited by visible light was obtained. The heat-treated TiO₂ powder at different stage of transition crystal was characterized and monitored by XRD, TEM, FT-IR and UV–vis DRS methods. The test of photocatalytic activity of the heat-treated TiO₂ powder was carried out by the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and acid orange II dyes, respectively, in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the nanometer TiO₂ photocatalyst heat-treated at 500°C for 60 min shows the highest photocatalytic activity, that is, it can effectively degrade the rhodamine B and acid orange II under visible light irradiation. The remarkable improvement of photocatalytic activity of heat-treated TiO₂ powder at 500°C for 60 min was mainly illustrated by the formation of special interphase between rutile and anatase phases, which not only restrains the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, but also reduces the adsorbability of nanometer anatase TiO₂ powder properly for various dyes. Additionally, the effects of dye-assisting chemicals such as Na₂CO₃ and NaCl on the photocatalytic degradation were also studied.     

酞酸酯类增塑剂对土壤─作物系统的影响

本研究揭示了酞酸酯类增塑剂邻苯二甲酸二丁酯（ＤＢＰ）和邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯（ＤＥＨＰ）在土壤中的持留动态,降解动力学特征及其对作物生长的影响。结果表明：试验温度越低,ＤＢＰ,ＤＥＨＰ的持留性越强;ＤＥＨＰ在土壤中的持留性受温度的影响程度比ＤＢＰ更为突出。随土壤水份含量增加,代停工物持留性降低,二者在土壤中的降解可用一级反应动力学方程Ｃ＝Ｃ０ｅ＾－ｋｔ进行描述（Ｃ０初始浓度,Ｋ速度常数,ｔ时间）。ＤＥ     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Reactive Black 5 by Fish Scale-Loaded TiO2 Composites

Titania and TiO₂/fish scale composites at different mass ratios (90:10, 70:30, and 50:50) were prepared by sol?Cgel method for application as photocatalysts in this study. Fish scale, synthesized TiO₂, and TiO₂/fish scale composites were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and nitrogen sorption. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated through the degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB 5) under solar light irradiation. The effects of irradiation time, catalyst loading, and mass ratios of TiO₂/fish scale composites on the photocatalytic degradation of RB 5 were investigated. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/fish scale composites showed compatible and enhanced degradation compared to the synthesized titania.     

Children's exposure to Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and dibutylphthalate plasticizers from school meals

Packed school meals for children 3-10 years old were studied to evaluate the levels of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butylphthalate (DBP) and the influence of the packaging process on meal contamination, and their contribution to daily intake was estimated. The packaging consisted of polyethylene-coated aluminum (PE/Al) dishes thermally welded by a polyethyleneterephthalate-coated aluminum (PET/Al) foil. Foodstuffs before processing were analyzed, too. Total meals before packaging and after packaging were collected. It was found that 92% of foodstuffs employed in meal preparation contained DEHP, and 76% of them DBP, at detectable levels. In cooked foods before packaging the DEHP median concentration levels varied from 111.4 to 154.8 ng/g ww and those of DBP between 32.5 and 59.5 ng/g ww. In packed meals the DEHP median values ranged from 127.0 to 253.3 ng/g ww, and DBP median values varied from 44.1 to 80.5 ng/g ww. The mean increases of median concentrations of DEHP in cooked foods before and after packaging were 113 and 125% for DBP. For nursery and primary school children DEHP intake via school meals can raise on average the respective EFSA TDI by 18 and 12% and that of DBP by 50 and 30%.     

Photocatalytic Oxidation of Reactive Red 22 in Aqueous Solution Using La2Ti2O7 Photocatalyst

This study was focused on the application of a highly doped layered perovskite, La₂Ti₂O₇, as the photocatalyst for the photocatalytic decomposition of an azo dye, Reactive Red 22 (RR22). The temporal behavior of the photocatalytic decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution by the UV/La₂Ti₂O₇ with a batch photoreactor operated in a recirculation mode was studied under various operating conditions including solution pH, light intensity, and La₂Ti₂O₇ loading. The decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution by La₂Ti₂O₇ photocatalytic process was found to be feasible. An empirical kinetic equation was developed for modeling the photocatalytic decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution using UV/La₂Ti₂O₇ photocatalytic processes.     

Photocatalytic Removal of the Antibiotic Cefotaxime on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ZnO Suspensions Under Simulated Sunlight Radiation

This study presents the main results about the removal of the antibiotic cefotaxime (CTX) under simulated sunlight radiation using heterogeneous photocatalysis with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in aqueous solutions. The effects of pH and catalyst initial load on pollutant removal were assessed considering the response surface methodology and a central composite circumscribed experimental design, which allowed to determine the optimized conditions that lead to a higher substrate elimination. Experimental results indicated that evaluated parameters have a significant effect on antibiotic removal in both TiO₂ and ZnO suspensions. In addition, the role of photogenerated holes, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals on CTX degradation was evaluated to clarify the reaction mechanism. Finally, analysis of the dissolved organic carbon content in solutions and the antibacterial activity of treated samples showed that photocatalytic treatments were able to reduce a considerable portion of the organic matter present in the systems and its antimicrobial activity.