Evaluation of the titanium dioxide photocatalysis for the degradation of a commercial pesticides mixture

Abstract

In this work, the adsorption and reuse capability of TiO2 were studied. The photocatalytic degradation of a commercial pesticide mixture consisting of Karmex®, Profiamina®, Igram®, and the coadjuvants Cosmoaguas® and Inex-A®, was evaluated. As experimental setup, a set of batch reactors and UV artificial light were used. The reduction of total organic carbon (TOC) was measured to evaluate the mineralization capability of the photocatalytic process. The optimal conditions were found by using a response surface experimental design. Three consecutive catalyst reuses were made with no special rinse treatment. The catalyst lost its capability to adsorb and degrade the pollutant mixture after three reuses because of the desorption of the intermediate species produced during the photocatalytic process.