Photocatalytic treatment of water containing imazalil using an immobilized TiO2 photoreactor

• The elimination of imazalil was proved for different water matrices.
• Suspended and supported TiO2 photocatalysis systems were compared.
• The effect of the water matrix was evaluated for the different systems.
• Different supports and thermal treatments were evaluated for the fixation of TiO2.
• Solar experiences confirmed the adequate treatment of synthetic wastewater.

In this study, the photoactivity of commercial and lab-made TiO2 when immobilized on different supports, namely borosilicate glass, alumina foam and refractory brick, was examined for the removal of the fungicide imazalil from different water matrices. Alumina foam provided the largest exposed photocatalyst surface but degradation kinetics were not significantly improved by the use of this material.TiO2 coatings were also subjected to thermal treatment at 450 °C to improve adhesion to the support and exhibited higher photocatalytic mineralization, at levels comparable to the conventional suspended system.However, successive photocatalyst reuse led to its deactivation. Different regeneration methods were studied for the TiO2 films and it was concluded that deionized water washes were the most effective regeneration procedure.Finally, a typical industrial wastewater containing imazalil was successfully treated using TiO2 supported on borosilicate glass under solar irradiation.

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