Photocatalytic Removal of Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether by C-N-TiO2 Nanoparticles from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

BackgroundThe elimination of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from water resources remains a main environmental concern. In the present study, photo-assissted process for removal of MTBE was examined in the solutions containing C-N-TiO2 nanoparticles under UV irradiation in the batch mode.MethodsThe effects of operational factors such as pH, initial catalyst concentration, and initial MTBE concentration on MTBE removal was investigated.ResultsThe optimum degradation condition for MTBE was obtained at pH 7, catalyst load of 100 mg/L, air flow rate = 0.1 L/min and C0 = 5 mg/L with 73 percent degradation of MTBE at 60 min. In addition, Analytical profiles on MTBE removal were based on the first-order kinetics model. However, the removal rate decreased by increasing initial concentration of MTBE.ConclusionThe findings showed that UV/C-N-TiO2 system is an efficient method for MTBE degradation from aqueous solution.