Ultrasound assisted photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac in an aqueous environment

Chemosphere. 2010 Aug;80(7):747-52. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.05.018. Epub 2010 Jun 12.

Abstract

Diclofenac (DF) is an anti-inflammatory drug found in aqueous environments as a pollutant due to its widespread use. The sonolytic, photocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic degradation of DF using three photocatalysts (TiO(2), ZnO and Fe-ZnO) were studied. The degradation of DF followed first-order like kinetics. The sonophotocatalytic degradation using TiO(2) under UV-vis radiation showed a slight synergistic enhancement in the degradation of the parent compound, whereas a detrimental effect was observed for the mineralization process. In the case of Fe-ZnO, both degradation and mineralization showed near additive effects. A number of degradation products were identified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / analysis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry*
  • Diclofenac / analysis
  • Diclofenac / chemistry*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • High-Energy Shock Waves*
  • Photolysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Diclofenac