Degradation of Emerging Contaminants Through Advanced Oxidation Processes (Photocatalysis)

This project addresses the challenge posed by emerging contaminants (microcontaminants) found in water, which are substances of diverse chemical nature (pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care products) posing significant risks to human health and the environment, as conventional treatments fail to remove them effectively. The main objective is to evaluate the efficacy of photocatalysis, an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), in degrading these recalcitrant compounds. The methodology focuses on optimizing key parameters of the photocatalytic process, including determining the optimal values for pH, light exposure time, and catalyst loading through systematic trials. Subsequently, degradation assays will be conducted in a photoreactor, monitoring the concentration of the emerging contaminant at defined time intervals using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Finally, using the concentration and time data, the kinetics of the photocatalytic reaction will be determined, including the reaction order and rate constant. This study aims to provide fundamental knowledge to enhance wastewater treatment strategies against these contaminants of growing concern.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To evaluate the degradation of emerging contaminants using advanced oxidation processes, specifically photocatalysis, by optimizing operational conditions (pH, light exposure time, catalyst amount) and characterizing the reaction kinetics.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Modeling and simulation of bioprocesses