Solar photocatalitycal treatment of carbofuran at lab and pilot scale: Effect of classical parameters, evaluation of the toxicity and analysis of organic by-products

► TiO2 photocatalytical degradation of pesticide carbofuran in water, at lab and pilot scale, was studied. ► Effect of carbofuran, TiO2 concentration and pH were evaluated and optimized using the surface response methodology. ► Analysis of five by-products and evaluation of the treatment in presence of isopropanol or acetonitrile suggest that the degradation is carried out by OH radical attack. ► Pilot test indicated that solar TiO2 photocatalysis is able to completely degrade the pesticide and considerably reduce the toxicity of the solution.