Degradation of diclofenac in aqueous solution by homogeneous and heterogeneous photolysis

Abstract

Background: Pharmaceuticals have arisen as emerging environmental pollutants due to their potential impact on humans, animals and microorganisms even at low concentrations. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are known to be ineffective for removal of many pharmaceuticals present in wastewater. Advanced oxidation processes are one of the most promising treatment technologies for degradation of such persistent compounds. The current study was focused on the efficacies of various oxidation processes for degradation of diclofenac (DCF) as one of the most widespread pharmaceuticals.

Photocatalytic degradation and toxicity evaluation of diclofenac by nanotubular titanium dioxide–PES membrane in a static and continuous setup

“…Diclofenac does precipitate during photolysis due to the formation of hydrochloric and carboxylic acids and a resulting pH drop was observed. 65 The solubility of diclofenac was reduced with decreasing pH. 66,67 The photolysis of the diclofenac solution with a lower initial concentration might not have been affected by precipitation as the generation of hydrochloric and carboxylic acids was limited with lower concentration and/or the solubility at 5 mg L À1 was still maintained.…”

Synergistic degradation of PNP via coupling H2O2 with persulfate catalyzed by nano zero valent iron

“…Similar ndings were reported in literatures which conrmed the higher effectiveness of PDS than H 2 O 2 during ferrous ion-activated degradation of levooxacin. 22 On contrary, rapid and complete PNP degradation was accomplished in the reaction system combining nZVI with H 2 O 2 /PDS dual oxidants. These results supplied the evidence of the synergistic effect between H 2 O 2 and PDS as they were activated by nZVI particles.…”

New Eco-Materials Derived from Waste for Emerging Pollutants Adsorption: The Case of Diclofenac

“…The literature estimates that the global annual consumption of DCF reaches 940 tons [ 9 ], and we expel approximately 65% of the DCF oral dosage via urine with its metabolites reaching the WWTPs through the wastewater [ 9 ]. Diclofenac is also very diffuse in surface water and groundwater, since its high stability in water and hydrophilicity make it able to persist in WWTPs [ 10 , 11 ]. The WFD monitors a list of priority substances to protect human health and environment for which the European Commission introduced the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS).…”