Removal of Chelated Copper by TiO2 Photocatalysis: Synergetic Mechanism Between Cu (II) and Organic Ligands

Abstract

UV/TiO2 photocatalysis of chelated copper in aqueous solutions has been performed starting from Cu(II)-tartaric acid, Cu(II)-citric acid, Cu(II)-EDTA and Cu(II)-DTPA,in the presence of oxygen and at acidic pH. The photocatalytic reaction obeys first-order kinetic equation. The influence of Cu(II) on photocatalytic oxidation of organic ligands and how the various organics will affect the treatment of Cu(II) were described. A significant synergistic effect was observed between the reduction of Cu(II) and oxidation of organic ligands. The results prove that TiO2 photocatalysis is an effective approach for removing chelated copper from wastewater.

Keywords

• tio2 photocatalysis
• chelated copper
• organic ligands
• synergistic mechanism