Solar degradation of diclofenac using Eosin-Y-activated TiO₂: cost estimation, process optimization and parameter...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a persistent environmental contaminant in aquatic ecosystems.
• Conventional water treatment methods are insufficient for removing trace amounts of DCF, necessitating advanced solutions.
• Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) show potential for degrading recalcitrant organic pollutants like DCF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the solar-driven degradation of diclofenac using titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalysis activated by Eosin-Y dye.
• To optimize key process parameters, including dye concentration, using a central composite design (CCD).
• To estimate the economic feasibility of the developed treatment process.

Main Methods:

• Utilized solar-activated TiO2 with Eosin-Y dye as a photocatalyst for DCF degradation.
• Employed a central composite design (CCD) to optimize Eosin-Y dye concentration, light intensity, TiO2 loading, and DCF concentration.
• Performed cost estimation for the materials involved in the treatment process.

Main Results:

• Optimized parameters achieved 40% and 49% DCF degradation within 5 minutes using 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L Eosin-Y dye, respectively.
• The study determined optimal conditions for light intensity, dye concentration, TiO2 loading, and initial DCF concentration.
• Cost analysis indicated that the higher dye concentration (4 mg/L) is not cost-effective for the marginal increase in degradation.

Conclusions:

• Solar-activated TiO2/Eosin-Y is an effective AOP for diclofenac removal from aquatic environments.
• The CCD successfully optimized process parameters for efficient DCF degradation.
• Lower dye concentrations are more economically viable, avoiding the need for further treatment of byproducts like halogenated compounds.