Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of the endocrine-disrupting chemical Benzophenone-3: Parameters optimization and by-products identification

Benzophenone-3 (BP3) is one of the most used UV filters. Its disruptive effect on the endocrine system of different living beings has been demonstrated by several research groups. Present work addresses on a photocatalytic degradation of BP3 using particles of titanium dioxide in aqueous solutions considering the effect of operating parameters such as pH, catalyst and pollutant initial concentrations, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide, acetonitrile and isopropanol in the solution. In this way, a face centered, central composite design was carried out for the identification of significant factors or interactions that allow the determination of the conditions under which the pollutant suffers the highest rates of degradation. A solution initial pH of 9.0, a TiO2 concentration of 1.184 g L(-1) and an H2O2 concentration of 128.069 mg L(-1) were established as the optimal conditions for the substrate removal. In aqueous solutions and low concentrations of the pollutant (<2 mg L(-1)) photocatalytic degradation followed a pseudo-first order kinetics. After 300 min of treatment, ∼67% of the dissolved organic carbon was removed, which together with a reduction in toxicity and an increase in biodegradability confirmed that photocatalysis with TiO2 is a potential method to remove BP3 from water. Additionally, tests using acetonitrile as solvent and isopropanol as hydroxyl radical (OH(.)) scavenger suggested that, OH(.) was the main agent responsible of substrate degradation. Finally, ten process by-products were identified and a degradation route was proposed.