Innovative photocatalytic media optimized for solar-powered remediation: Application to pyrimethanil treatment

• Pyrimethanil mineralization kinetics was determined in controlled working conditions
• Aluminum swarf shavings offer a foam-like macroporous structure
• Efficiency of the medium was independent of the intensity of the radiation received
• Aluminum swarf developed a far higher mineralization capacity than cellulose fabric.

Solar photocatalysis, which is part of the family of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), is illustrative of an ecotechnology harnessing solar energy for remediation purposes. AOPs are able to treat what are dubbed persistent organic pollutants, as the core process is non-selective. Photocatalysis induces the mineralization of organic compounds by producing radical species. The aim is to develop photocatalytic media in a granule substrate of pores and fibers, but this comes at the cost of a major loss of substrate efficiency due to its relative inability to absorb enough UV irradiation. The authors have recently demonstrated the potential of innovative new media—aluminum foams defined in a way that optimizes the capture of incident radiation. However, their cost puts them out of reach of large-scale environmental water remediation applications. We propose a novel potential solution based on using recycled aluminum swarf machining waste as substrate media for photocatalytic material. These metal shavings offer a foam-like macroporous structure creating the potential to develop a large interface surface for exchange with incident light. Aluminum swarf developed a far higher mineralization capacity than cellulose fabric. This promising finding shows that foam and swarf are able to deliver good absorption of incident flux.

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