Optimization Electrophotocatalytic Removal of Sulfanilamide From Aqueous Water by Taguchi Model

Giti Kashi, Nahid Hydarian

Abstract: Sulfanilamide was a sulfonamideantibacterial. It was a molecule consisting of the sulfonamide functional group attached to aniline. Sulfanilamide resulted in irritation skin, allergic respiratory, and mutagenic effects. The goal of this applied-analytical research was to investigate of sulfonamide removal from water by batch EPC reactor with using zinc oxide(ZnO) nanoparticles immobilized on zinc(Zn) sheet-copper electrode, and lamp emitting dynode (LED) ultraviolet-A(UV-A) lamp. Various operating variables were tested; these included current density, initial concentration of sulfonamide, lamp intensity, layering of ZnO nanoparticles, pH, and radiation time.To prepare the ZnO films on the Zn electrode, dry methods were used. The sample was prepared by adding 100-300 milligrams of sulfonamide per ml of deionized water. The studied variables werepH(3-11), the sulfonamide concentration (100-300 mg/L), the lamp intensity (360-600 mW/cm²), radiation time (0-45 min), layering of zinc oxide nanoparticles (1-3), and current density (6-12.5 mA/cm²). The sulfonamide concentration was measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry. The optimal removal(0) was obtained at pH 3, radiation time of 15 minutes, 2- layer of ZnO nanoparticles, lamp density 600 mw/cm², and current density of 9 mA/cm². The sulfonamide decay followed a first order reaction. The results of sulfonamide removal efficiency by Taguchi model indicated that the reaction time was the most important variable. The electrochemical(E) process was the least efficiency. The rate of decay decreased at higher concentrations. Thus, batch experiments showed that the EPC reactor could be considered as a promising technology for treating sulfonamide-polluted water.

Keywords: Aqueous water, Electrophotocatalytic, Sulfonamide, Taguchi model, Zinc oxide.

Pages: 86 – 98 | Full PDF Paper