Photocatalytic Decomposition of Bisphenol A in Water Using Composite TiO2-Zeolite Sheets Prepared by a Papermaking Technique

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 1048 - 1051
• Main Authors: Fukahori, Shuji, Ichiura, Hideaki, Kitaoka, Takuya, Tanaka, Hiroo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01-03-2003
• Subjects: Adsorption; Applied sciences; Benzhydryl Compounds; Biological and physicochemical phenomena; Bioremediation; Bisphenol A; Catalysis; Ceramic fibers; Chemicals; Coloring Agents - chemistry; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Efficiency; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Industrial Waste; Natural water pollution; Phenols - chemistry; Photocatalysis; Photochemistry; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Titanium - chemistry; Water pollution; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution; Zeolites; Zeolites - chemistry; Liquid solid adsorption; Photocatalysis; Endocrine disruptor; Zeolite; Foil; Synergism; Chemical reaction kinetics; Oxide ceramics; Composite material; Bisphenol A; Heterogeneous catalysis; Decontamination; Chemical treatment; Phenols; Oxidation; Water pollution; Performance; Titanium oxide; Photooxidation; Catalyst; Photochemical degradation; Ceramic fiber
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es0260115

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst and zeolite adsorbent were made into a paper-like composite by a papermaking technique using pulp and ceramic fibers as sheet matrix. The photocatalytic performance for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) dissolved in water was investigated under UV irradiation. The TiO2 sheet prepared was easier to handle than the original TiO2 powders in aqueous media. The TiO2 sheet could decompose the BPA under UV irradiation, although at a lower degradation efficiency than the TiO2 suspension. The TiO2-free zeolite sheet could not remove the BPA from water completely because of its adsorption equilibrium. Furthermore, the composite TiO2-zeolite sheets exhibited a higher efficiency for BPA removal than the zeolite-free TiO2 sheets, the efficiency of the former being equivalent to that of the TiO2 suspension. The enhancement in removal efficiency was not attributed to the simple adsorption of BPA on zeolite but rather to the synergistic effect obtained through the combined use of TiO2 photocatalyst and zeolite adsorbent in the paper-like composite sheet, which is believed to accelerate the BPA photodegradation in water.