A novel photodegradation approach for the efficient removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from water

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes/nitrogen, palladium co-doped titanium dioxide (MWCNT/N, Pd co-doped TiO2) (0.5–5% MWCNTs) were fabricated for the enhancement of NOM degradation under visible-light illumination. Different MWCNT/N, Pd co-doped TiO2 (also referred to as CT) nanocomposites were synthesised via a modified sol-gel method and characterised using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The UV-Vis results showed that introducing the MWCNTs on the nanocomposites was accompanied by a red shift, with CT (0.5% MWCNTs) occurring at a longer wavelength than the others. The efficiency and effectiveness of the synthesised nanocomposites was quantified through measuring the NOM degradation rate in raw water samples collected from two South African water treatment plants. These two drinking water treatment plants were selected as the raw water treated in these plants contains different NOM fractions: the raw water treated at Midvaal (MV) Water Company contains transphilic NOM fractions, while that treated at Plettenberg Bay (P) Water Treatment Plant contains high amounts of hydrophobic NOM. The changes in the amount of NOM in a sample were monitored by measuring the UV absorbance at 254 nm (UVA254) as there is a strong correlation between absorbance at this wavel...
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research