(00257)Successful use of UV light driven photocatalytic oxidation for the removal of an emergent water contaminant

摘要

The degradation of a new anti-epileptic drug, named levetiracetam in aqueous solution has been investigated by heterogeneous photocatalysis, under UV light irradiation. For the photocatalytic assays, the photocatalytic activity of two different commercial catalysts (TiO2 Aeroxide? P25 and TiO2 Kronos uvlp 7500)was compared. The influence of some operating conditions (catalyst dosage, UV light irradiation, initial pollutant concentration, pH and water matrix was studied)and the main kinetic parameters were determined. For optimal degradation conditions an elimination yield of 99% was achieved. Kinetic studies have shown that the degradation of target molecule can be described by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Toxicity tests were also carried out to evaluate the potential of detoxification of the considered oxidation process.