TiO2 photocatalysis of naproxen: Effect of the water matrix, anions and diclofenac on degradation rates. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanakaraju, Devagi; Motti, Cherie A.; Glass, Beverley D.; Oelgemöller, Michael
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 139(2015)
• Page Start: 579
• Page End: 588
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Pharmaceuticals -- Photocatalysis -- Advanced oxidation process -- Anions -- Naproxen -- Diclofenac; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.07.070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Highlights: TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation of naproxen was studied in the presence of anions and diclofenac. Addition of a dual anion system had a greater effect on the degradation rate. Degradation rates of diclofenac were greater than naproxen in mixtures. High photocatalytic oxidation of naproxen did not correlate with a significant decrease in the dissolved organic carbon removal. Degradation products, were identified using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Abstract: The TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) naproxen (NPX) has been studied using a laboratory-scale photoreactor equipped with a medium pressure mercury lamp. UV/TiO2 photocatalysis proved highly efficient in the elimination of NPX from a variety of water matrices, including distilled water, unfiltered river water and drinking water, although the rate of reaction was not always proportional to TiO2 concentration. However, the NPX degradation rate, which follows first-order kinetics, was appreciably reduced in river water spiked with phosphate and chloride ions, a dual anion system. Addition of chloride into drinking water enhanced the TiO2 -photocatalysed degradation rate. Competitive degradation studies also revealed that the NPX degradation was greatly reduced in the presence of increased concentrations of another API, diclofenac (DCF). This was established by (i) the extent of mineralization, as determined by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content, and (ii) the formation of intermediate NPX by-products, identified using liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization (positive and negative mode) mass spectrometry techniques. This study demonstrates that competition for active sites (anions or DCF) and formation of multiple photoproducts resulting from synergistic interactions (between both APIs) are key to the TiO2 -photocatalysed NPX degradation.