Removal of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) pollutants from water by novel TiO2-Coconut Shell Powder (TCNSP) composite

Abstract

Photocatlytic removal of three pharmaceutical and personal care products pollutants using novel TiO2–Coconut Shell Powder (TCNSP) composite was investigated. The photocatalytic degradation rate of PPCPs generally increased with increasing light intensity and dissolved oxygen concentration. The degradation rate decreased with increasing initial concentration of PPCPs. The PPCPs concentration decreased substantially under irradiation of UVC when used in conjunction with the TCNSP composite. A number of composite/radiation types and intensities were tested. The concentration rate decrease trend was as: UVC/TCNSP > UVA/TCNSP > UVC > UVA. Under the UVC/TCNP combination, 99% removal was achieved compared to 30% for TiO2.