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Methylparaben removal using heterogeneous photocatalysis: effect of operational parameters and mineralization/biodegradability studies

  • AOPs: Recent Advances to Overcome Barriers in the Treatment of Water, Wastewater and Air
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Abstract

Methylparaben (MePB) is an organic compound employed mainly in the manufacture of different personal care products. However, it has been recently listed as a potential endocrine disrupter chemical. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to evaluate the degradation of MePB in aqueous solutions using heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2 and hydrogen peroxide. In this way, effects of pH and the initial concentrations of catalyst, H2O2, and pollutant on treatment were analyzed. A face centered, central composite design was used for determination of the influence of each parameter in the process and the conditions under which the pollutant suffers the highest rates of degradation were selected. In general, results indicate that combination TiO2/H2O2/light irradiation leads to ∼90 % of substrate removal after 30 min of reaction and that hydroxyl free radicals are the main specie responsible for organic matter elimination. Finally, in terms of mineralization and biodegradability, experimental results indicated that part of the organic matter was transformed into CO2 and water and the photo-treatment promoted an increase in samples biodegradability.

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank COLCIENCIAS for Mr. Zúñiga-Benítez scholarship and the “Fondo Sostenibilidad 2015–2016” of the University of Antioquia Vice-rectory for support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo GDCON, Facultad de Ingeniería, Sede de Investigación Universitaria (SIU), Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellín, Colombia

    Henry Zúñiga-Benítez & Gustavo A. Peñuela

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  1. Henry Zúñiga-Benítez
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  2. Gustavo A. Peñuela
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Correspondence to Henry Zúñiga-Benítez.

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Responsible editor: Angeles Blanco

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Zúñiga-Benítez, H., Peñuela, G.A. Methylparaben removal using heterogeneous photocatalysis: effect of operational parameters and mineralization/biodegradability studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 6022–6030 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6468-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6468-9

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