Photocatalytic activity of nanocomposite based on TiO2 nanostructure for the degradation of an environmental pollutants

Abstract: Industrial and agricultural wastewater is one of the most important sources of several organic pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides. Various studies have been considered to remove these pollutants from wastewater, including photocatalyst, oxidation process, membrane filtration and biological absorption. Among these methods, the photocatalyst, as a new technology for wastewater treatment, is a promising method] 1.[ Mesoporous materials have holes in the nanoscale. And great volume of their structure is empty space. The high surface-to-volume ratio, permeability, high selectivity, and thermal and acoustic resistance are the structural characteristics of these materials. Due to structural features, these materials are used as ion exchangers, separators, membranes and catalysts [2]. Because of the high toxicity and environmental hazards, the presence of pesticides in water and wastewater has increased concerns for public health. So more endeavor is needed to standardize wastewater treatment ]3.[ In the present study, we have developed a stable, inexpensive, recyclable, eco-friendly and highly efficient photocatalyst. The photocatalyst was characterized by FESEM-EDS and XRD. The photocatalytic degradation of pesticide by using TiO2-Fe3O4/GO nanophotocatalyst was substantially related on contact time, initial concentration of pesticide, solution pH and amount of the catalyst. The nanocomposite was separated easily from the solution using external magnet and then it was stabilized into solution for the next cycle. The developed TiO2-Fe3O4/GO nanophotocatalyst has good reusability for the removal of pesticide from wastewater.