Photocatalytic degradation of humic acid in aqueous media using MnFeN-tridopedTiO2 nanoparticles

Humic acid (HA) is produced by the decomposition of plant and animal debris in surface water. The presence of HA in the water disinfection process is considered as the main precursor for disinfection by-products. The present study aim was to evaluate photo catalyst degradation of HA, using MnFeN-tridoped TiO2 nanoparticles. The study was conducted in a lab-scale batch photo-catalytic reactor using the interval experimental method. MnFeN-tridopedTiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method and characterization of nanoparticles was determined by XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDX techniques. The effect of different parameters such as pH (3-11), catalyst dose (0.5-2.5gr coating on glass bed), initial HA (2-50mg/l) on the degradation efficiency of HA were investigated. Also photo catalyst degradation of HA by TiO2، N-dopedTiO2 و FeN-codopedTiO2 nanoparticles was studied in optimal conditions. The results showed that efficiency of photo catalytic degradation of HA in optimum conditions (pH=3, nanoparticle dose of 1.5 gr and the concentration of HA 10 mg) were 86.72%.and 63.05% under ultraviolet and visible light, respectively. The results showed that photo catalytic degradation of HA using MnFeN-tridopedTiO2, increased with increasing catalyst dose and decreased with increasing initial concentration of pollutant and pH. Also the results showed photo catalytic activity of doped TiO2 is higher compared to pure TiO2.