Abstract
Triton X-100 is one of the most widely-applied man-made non-ionic surfactants. This detergent can hardly be degraded by biological treatment. Hence, a more efficient degradation method is indispensable for the total mineralization of this pollutant. Application of heterogeneous photocatalysis based on a TiO2 suspension is a possible solution. Its efficiency may be improved by the addition of various reagents. We have thoroughly examined the photocatalytic degradation of Triton X-100 under various circumstances. For comparison, the efficiencies of ozonation and treatment with peroxydisulfate were also determined under the same conditions. Besides, the combination of these advanced oxidation procedures (AOPs) were also studied. The mineralization of this surfactant was monitored by following the TOC and pH values, as well as the absorption and emission spectra of the reaction mixture. An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method was developed and optimized for monitoring the degradation of Triton X-100. Intermediates were also detected by GC-MS analysis and followed during the photocatalysis, contributing to the elucidation of the degradation mechanism. This non-ionic surfactant could be efficiently degraded by TiO2-mediated heterogeneous photocatalysis. However, surprisingly, its combination with the AOPs applied in this study did not enhance the rate of the mineralization. Moreover, the presence of persulfate hindered the photocatalytic degradation.
Highlights
In our natural waters, artificial detergents can threaten self-cleaning processes, such as oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange and sedimentation of floating particles
Before measuring the mineralization of Triton X-100 by heterogeneous photocatalysis, it was investigated in the absence of the TiO2 photocatalyst, as well as without irradiation
Since the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) chromatogram of Triton X-100 consists of several peaks corresponding to the components with various lengths of ethoxy chains (Figure 12), its time-dependent change demonstrates well how the concentrations of these components are affected during the photocatalysis
Summary
Artificial detergents can threaten self-cleaning processes, such as oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange and sedimentation of floating particles. The non-ionic surfactants of the alkylphenyl polyethoxylate type (Triton X-n) [5], where n can be within the range of 3–40, are the most widely used at the industrial scale They are applied in household and industrial cleaning agents, paints and coatings, as well as utilized in the dye and textile industries as detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, solubilizers and dispersants [6,7,8]. As a consequence of the incomplete degradation, it can reach from the sewage farms to natural waters, damaging the various living organisms there [11,12] It may destroy the cell membranes [13,14,15] and hinder the function of the peripheral nervous system [16]. The effects of the combination of these advanced oxidation procedures (AOPs) were investigated
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