Photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in an aqueous solution using unconventional supported catalysts and commercial ZnO/TiO2 under ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

Nicotine, a highly toxic alkaloid, has been detected in effluents, surface and groundwater and even bottled mineral water. The present work studied the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous solution, under ultraviolet irradiation. The experiments were carried out using commercial (ZnO, TiO2) and non-conventional catalysts, which were prepared from industrial and laboratory waste. Two experimental designs (CCD) were performed for both commercial catalysts, and initial nicotine concentration, catalyst concentration and initial solution pH effects were studied. Then, the synthesized catalysts were tested under the optimal conditions which were found through CCDs. Using commercial catalysts, about 98% of the alkaloid was degraded by ZnO, and 88% by TiO2, in 1h.Among the non-conventional catalysts, the highest photocatalytic degradation (44%) was achieved using the catalyst prepared from a petrochemical industry residue.