Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant
The removal of organic pollutant in wastewater has become a major priority in water treatment. In this study, organic pollutant dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been biologically and photocatalytically degraded in wastewater using modified transition metal dichalcogenides. The as-synthesized nanoparticle...
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| author | Ipoteng Justice Mphahlele Soraya Phumzile Malinga Langelihle Nsikayezwe Dlamini |
| author_facet | Ipoteng Justice Mphahlele Soraya Phumzile Malinga Langelihle Nsikayezwe Dlamini |
| author_sort | Ipoteng Justice Mphahlele |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The removal of organic pollutant in wastewater has become a major priority in water treatment. In this study, organic pollutant dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been biologically and photocatalytically degraded in wastewater using modified transition metal dichalcogenides. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various characterization techniques, which includes XRD, Raman, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, XPS, PL, EIS, and photocurrent responses. The nanoparticles synthesized by slightly modified hydrothermal method depicted a hexagonal phase, as evidenced by XRD and Raman analyses. The biological degradation of 69% dibutyl phthalate was achieved. Moreover, the total organic carbon removal efficiency of 70% was further achieved. Incorporating biological and photocatalytic systems significantly improved dibutyl phthalate removal in secondary effluent by three folds when compared to the unilateral operating setup. The optimized parameters such as pH = 7, 5 ppm and DBP concentration with the addition of 10 mg catalysts loading were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of dibutyl phthalate in water. Pristine WS<sub>2</sub> exhibited photocatalytic efficiencies of 46% after 60 min illumination. The use of dual system 3% Ce/Gd-WS<sub>2</sub> exhibited the highest photodegradation of 85%, with a chemical oxygen demand of 80% and total organic carbon of 77%. The enhanced activity by the composite is attested to the formation of heterojunction exhibiting excellent charge separation and low rate of recombination. The 3% Ce/Gd-WS<sub>2</sub> can be used up to seven times and still achieve a degradation of 56%. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:10:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-56ecbd149a7045f59a33116d98fcc436 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4344 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:10:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Catalysts |
| spelling | doaj.art-56ecbd149a7045f59a33116d98fcc4362023-11-23T10:25:52ZengMDPI AGCatalysts2073-43442022-04-0112550410.3390/catal12050504Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment PlantIpoteng Justice Mphahlele0Soraya Phumzile Malinga1Langelihle Nsikayezwe Dlamini2Department of Chemical Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaThe removal of organic pollutant in wastewater has become a major priority in water treatment. In this study, organic pollutant dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been biologically and photocatalytically degraded in wastewater using modified transition metal dichalcogenides. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various characterization techniques, which includes XRD, Raman, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis, XPS, PL, EIS, and photocurrent responses. The nanoparticles synthesized by slightly modified hydrothermal method depicted a hexagonal phase, as evidenced by XRD and Raman analyses. The biological degradation of 69% dibutyl phthalate was achieved. Moreover, the total organic carbon removal efficiency of 70% was further achieved. Incorporating biological and photocatalytic systems significantly improved dibutyl phthalate removal in secondary effluent by three folds when compared to the unilateral operating setup. The optimized parameters such as pH = 7, 5 ppm and DBP concentration with the addition of 10 mg catalysts loading were employed for the photocatalytic degradation of dibutyl phthalate in water. Pristine WS<sub>2</sub> exhibited photocatalytic efficiencies of 46% after 60 min illumination. The use of dual system 3% Ce/Gd-WS<sub>2</sub> exhibited the highest photodegradation of 85%, with a chemical oxygen demand of 80% and total organic carbon of 77%. The enhanced activity by the composite is attested to the formation of heterojunction exhibiting excellent charge separation and low rate of recombination. The 3% Ce/Gd-WS<sub>2</sub> can be used up to seven times and still achieve a degradation of 56%.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/5/504biological activitydibutyl phthalateheterojunctionphotocatalytictotal organic carbon |
| spellingShingle | Ipoteng Justice Mphahlele Soraya Phumzile Malinga Langelihle Nsikayezwe Dlamini Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant Catalysts biological activity dibutyl phthalate heterojunction photocatalytic total organic carbon |
| title | Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| title_full | Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| title_fullStr | Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| title_short | Combined Biological and Photocatalytic Degradation of Dibutyl Phthalate in a Simulated Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| title_sort | combined biological and photocatalytic degradation of dibutyl phthalate in a simulated wastewater treatment plant |
| topic | biological activity dibutyl phthalate heterojunction photocatalytic total organic carbon |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/12/5/504 |
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