Application of Nanopillars-TiO2 Thin Films in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Parathion from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity of Nanopillars-TiO2 thin films S1 (without PEG) and S2 (with PEG) was assessed in the degradation of Methyl Parathion (MPT) from aqueous solution under batch reactor operations. The thin films were characterized by the XRD, SEM, AFM and BET analytical methods. Results showed that pH 6.0 was an optimum pH for the photocatalytic degradation of MPT using the UV light and lower initial pollutant concentration greatly favoured the MPT degradation using the thin films. The time dependence photocatalytic degradation of MPT was demonstrated with the pseudo-first-order rate kinetics. Overall degradation efficacy was in the order: S2 > S1 > UV. Study was further extended with total organic carbon measurement using the TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analysis. This demonstrated an apparent mineralization of MPT from aqueous solutions.