Innovative Supported Composite Photocatalyst for the Oxidation of Phenolic Waters in Reactor Processes

This study focuses on the preparation and performance of an innovative, novel supported TiO 2 photocatalyst to fix TiO 2 Degussa P25 on Raschig glass rings. An interfacial electrostatically charged agent polyethylene−graft−maleic anhydride is used as a binder for the TiO 2 . This photocatalyst presented a stable performance during the degradation of phenolic waters. The photodegradation process was investigated as a function of (i) the concentration of the electron acceptor (H 2 O 2 ), (ii) the intensity of the applied light, and (iii) the recirculation of the wastewaters in the photoreactor. The TiO 2 catalyst was observed to maintain the pH at values close to 7 during the reactor treatment, enabling the treated phenolic waters to be discharged directly to a biological treating station. Modeling of the phenolic waters degradation was conducted through a single-exponential polynomial function. This gives a systematic way to determine the most economic use of the oxidant (H 2 O 2 ) and electric energy required for the degradation process.