Photocatalytic degradation of cyanide in wastewater using new generated nano-thin film photocatalyst

• K2La2Ti3O10 was produced by using sol–gel method.
• New generated K2La2Ti3O10 and CeO2 for buffer layer were coated on Si (100).
• Cyanide degradation efficiencies in wastewater were examined under different conditions.
• Initial concentration of cyanide, pH and the light intensity performances were selected as variables and analyzed.
• The increase of the light intensity enhances degradation efficiency of cyanide.

This study investigates the possibility of using new generated potassium lanthanum titanates (K2La2Ti3O10, KLTO) photocatalyst thin films and CeO2 buffer layer produced using sol–gel method to remove cyanide from wastewater. DTA–TG, FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, AFM and profilometer analyses were performed to determine the thermal, structural and morphological characterization of the thin film photocatalysts, respectively. In order to provide the highest photocatalytic activity, new generated photocatalytic films with KLTO/CeO2 architecture were coated on Si (100) substrates and the cyanide degradation experiments were carried out. In this respect, initial concentration, pH of cyanide and light intensity were chosen as variables and their single and joint effects on removal of cyanide from wastewater were investigated. ATLAS Suntest CPS + which simulates solar radiation was used as illumination source for the photocatalytic degradation of cyanide. ANOVA statistical test was carried out to understand the effectiveness of the variables. The degradation experiments were fitted to first order reaction law. The maximum degradation efficiency of cyanide was found to be 99.87% at pH of 10 and light intensity of 750 W/m2 by using 100 mg/l cyanide initial concentration after 5 hour irradiation.

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