Photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous ammonia in model gray waters

Water Res. 2008 May;42(10-11):2736-44. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.02.003. Epub 2008 Feb 19.

Abstract

This study investigated the TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of aqueous ammonia (NH4+/NH3) in the presence of surfactants and monosaccharides at pH approximately 10.1. Initial rates of NH4+/NH3 photocatalytic degradation decreased by approximately 50-90% in the presence of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants and monosaccharides. Through correlation analysis, we concluded that scavenging of hydroxyl radical (.OH) by the products of surfactant/monosaccharide photocatalytic degradation, including carbonate and formate, could explain approximately 80% of the variance in initial rates of NH4+/NH3 removal in our system. Addition of a supplemental .OH source (H2O2) enhanced the rate of NH4+/NH3 degradation in the presence of the surfactant Brij 23 lauryl ether (Brij 35), further supporting the idea that .OH scavenging is the mechanism by which surfactants and monosaccharides decreased initial rates of NH4+/NH3 photocatalytic degradation. Despite slowed rates of NH4+/NH3 degradation, both surfactants/monosaccharides and NH4+/NH3 were removed by TiO2 photocatalysis, indicating that this process can effectively remove both carbonaceous and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand from gray water.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption / radiation effects
  • Ammonia / metabolism*
  • Catalysis / radiation effects
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemistry
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Kinetics
  • Light*
  • Monosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction / radiation effects
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / metabolism
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid*

Substances

  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Monosaccharides
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Ammonia