Photocatalytic decomposition of acephate in irradiated TiO2 suspensions

Removal of acephate and methamidophos from water: Coagulation and adsorptive treatment approaches

Pesticides has transformed the agricultural industry, primarily by enhancing productivity. However, the indiscriminate use of such compounds can adversely affect human health and disrupt ecosystem balance. Limited knowledge exists regarding the removal of these compounds from water, particularly for organophosphate pesticides when employing conventional treatment technologies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the removal of acephate (ACE) and methamidophos (MET) - considered priority pesticides in Brazil - from waters with high and low turbidity during the clarification process carried out with aluminum sulfate (AS) and ferric chloride (FC), either alone or combined with powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption. All water samples were submitted to solid phase extraction (SPE C18 cartridges) prior to acephate and methamidophos analysis by HPLC MS/MS. The clarification process with either AS or FC coagulant did not efficiently remove acephate or methamidophos and maximum average removal (27 %) was observed with waters of high turbidity when using ferric chloride as coagulant. Addition of mineral PAC was also ineffective for removing both pesticides. However, the use of vegetable PAC (10 mg/L) resulted in better removal percentages, up to 80%, but only for methamidophos. The limited removal rates were attributed to the high hydrophilicity of acephate and methamidophos, along with their neutral charge at coagulation pH. These factors hinder the interaction of such organophosphorus pesticides with the flocs formed during coagulation as well as with PAC surface.

Challenges and effectiveness of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis for pesticides-contaminated water: A review

Pesticides have been frequently used in agricultural fields. Due to the expeditious utilization of pesticides, their excessive usage has negative impacts on the natural environment and human health. This review discusses the successful implications of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis for the removal of environmental pesticide contaminants. Notably, various nanomaterials, including TiO₂, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, nanoscale zero-valent iron, nanocomposite-based materials, have been proposed and have played a progressively essential role in wastewater treatment. In addition, a detailed review of the crucial reaction condition factors, including water matrix, pH, light source, temperature, flow rate (retention time), initial concentration of pesticides, a dosage of photocatalyst, and radical scavengers, is also highlighted. Additionally, the degradation pathway of pesticide mineralization is also elucidated. Finally, the challenges of technologies and the future of nanotechnology-based photocatalysis toward the photo-degradation of pesticides are thoroughly discussed. It is expected that those innovative extraordinary photocatalysts will significantly enhance the performance of pesticides degradation in the coming years.

Titanium dioxide based nanocomposites - Current trends and emerging strategies for the photocatalytic degradation of ruinous environmental pollutants

Many ruinous pollutants are omnipresent in the environment and among them; pesticides are xenobiotic and pose to be a bio-recalcitrance. Their detrimental ecological and environmental impacts attract attention of environmental excerpts and the surge of stringent regulations have endows the need of a technically feasible treatment. This critical review emphasizes about the occurrence, abundance and fate of structurally distinct pesticides in different environment. The practiced remedial strategies and in particular, the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) those utilize the photo-catalytic properties of nano-composites for the degradation of pollutants are critically discussed. Photo-catalytic degradation utilizes many composite materials at nano-scale level, wherein synthesis of nano-composites with appropriate precursors and other adjoining functional moieties are of prime importance. Therefore, suitable starter materials along with the reaction conditions are prerequisite for effectively tailoring the nano-composites. The aforementioned aspects and their customized applications are critically discussed. The associated challenges, opportunities and process economics of degradation using photo-catalytic AOP techniques are highlighted and in addition, the review tries to explain how best the photo-degradation can be a stand-alone tool with a societal importance. Conclusively, the future prospects for undertaking new researches in photo-catalytic breakdown of pollutants that can be judiciously sustainable.

Recent developments in photocatalytic degradation of insecticides and pesticides

Widespread use of pesticides in agricultural and domestic sectors and their long half-life have led to their accumulation in the environment beyond permissible limits. Advanced chemical oxidation methods including photocatalytic degradation are being widely investigated for their mineralization. Photocatalytic degradation is the most promising method for degrading pesticides as well as other organic pollutants. Titanium dioxide with or without modification has been widely used as the photocatalyst. Some research groups have also tried other photocatalysts. This review presents a critical summary of the research results reported during the past two decades as well as the scope for future research in this area.

Effective treatment of hospital wastewater with high-concentration diclofenac and ibuprofen using a promising technology based on degradation reaction catalyzed by Fe0 under microwave irradiation

Real hospital wastewater was effectively treated by a promising technology based on degradation reaction catalyzed by Fe⁰ under microwave irradiation in this work. Fe⁰ powders were synthesized and characterized by different techniques, resulting in a single-phase sample with spherical particles. Optimum experimental conditions were determined by a central composite rotatable design combined with a response surface methodology, resulting in 96.8% of chemical oxygen demand reduction and 100% organic carbon removal, after applying MW power of 780 W and Fe⁰ dosage of 0.36 g L^-1 for 60 min. Amongst the several organic compounds identified in the wastewater sample, diclofenac and ibuprofen were present in higher concentrations; therefore, they were set as target pollutants. Both compounds were completely degraded in 35 min of reaction time. Their plausible degradation pathways were investigated and proposed. Overall, the method developed in this work effectively removed high concentrations of pharmaceuticals in hospital wastewater.

Biodegradation of acephate by Bacillus paramycoides NDZ and its degradation pathway

Acephate is widely used in agriculture, but its poisonous metabolites and poor sorption characteristics make it a serious environmental pollutant and toxicant to human health. To screen novel bacteria for biodegradation of acephate and uncover its degradation pathway, a strain called NDZ that is capable of utilizing acephate as a sole carbon and energy source was isolated from severely contaminated cultivated land. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus paramycoides based on 16S rDNA sequence analyses. The growth and degradation capacities of B. paramycoides NDZ under different conditions were studied using optical density at 600 nm (OD₆₀₀) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that B. paramycoides NDZ can grow well with acephate as its sole carbon source (OD₆₀₀ = 0.76), and degraded about 76% of acephate in mineral salt medium with an initial concentration of 500 mg/L within 48 h. The results of response surface methodology revealed the optimal conditions for degradation was 36 ℃ and pH 6.85 with 526 mg/L acephate. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that methamidophos was the main metabolite of B. paramycoides NDZ, different from the degradation products of high-temperature steam (121 °C, 103 kPa). Based on the detection of this intermediate, we inferred that acephate was degraded to methamidophos through hydrolysis of the amide linkage, after which methamidophos was degraded to some small molecules, which can be metabolized easily by the bacterium. In summary, B. paramycoides NDZ is a potentially useful bacterium for acephate degradation and remediation of contaminated soils.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of acephate pesticide over MCM-41/Co3O4 nanocomposite synthesized from rice husk silica gel and Peach leaves

Novel green nanocomposite from mesoporous MCM-41 and Co₃O₄ was synthesized from rice husk based silica gel and using the green extract of Peach leaves as reducing reagent. The composite was labeled as RH-MCM-41/Co₃O₄ and characterized by different techniques as green photocatalyst in the degradation of Acephate pesticide under visible light illumination. The composite showed well developed spherical MCM-41 particles decorated by nano Co₃O₄ nanoparticles with stunning surface area and low bandgap energy (1.51 eV). The composite displayed superior photocatalytic activities in the oxidation of Acephate which reflected in a complete degradation of different concentrations of it after 40 min (50 mg/L), 60 min (100 mg/L), 100 min (150 mg/L) and 140 min (200 mg/L) using 0.25 g of the composite. The complete removal of the present TOC for treatment of 100 mg/L acephate was achieved using 0.25 g after 70 min reflecting the formation of intermediate compounds during the oxidation steps. The reported intermediate compounds are CH₃C(O)NH₂, CH₃O(CH₃S)P(O)NH₂, (CH₃O)₂P(O)SCH₃, CH₃OP(O)(OH)₂, CH₃SS(O)₂CH₃, and (COOH)₂. All the formed intermediate compounds were degraded under the visible light photocatalytic activity of RH-MCM-41/Co₃O₄ into NO₃^-, SO₄^2-, PO₄^3-, and CO₂ as final products.

Two novel sets of UiO-66@ metal oxide/graphene oxide Z-scheme heterojunction: Insight into tetracycline and malathion photodegradation

Nowadays, widespread researches have been focused on the development of effective photocatalysts to remove pollutants of the aquatic system. In accordance with the universal studies, two new sets of UiO-66@ metal oxide (including ZnO and TiO₂)/graphene oxide heterojunctions were synthesized for photodegradation of aromatic (tetracycline) and nonaromatic (malathion) pollutants which are challenging cases in the environment. The dosage of the photocatalyst, pH of the solution, the type of metal oxide, and the presence of various scavengers are assayed parameters in this work. In the optimum condition, maximum photodegradation efficiency is achieved in 90 min for tetracycline (81%) and malathion (100%) by the UiO-66@ZnO/graphene oxide. The superior separation of charge carriers by Z-scheme mechanism, excellent electron mobility on layers of graphene oxide and high surface area are factors that enhanced the efficiency. Furthermore, in comparison with pure UiO-66, the band gaps belong to heterojunctions revealed a red shift in the absorption edge, which can be responsible for more expand adsorption of the solar spectrum. Total organic carbon analysis verified the decontamination of these pollutants in the solution. The produced main intermediates during the photocatalytic process were identified and the possible degradation pathway proposed. In general, the superior photocatalytic activity suggests that these designed photocatalysts can be a promising choice for having a clean future.

Photocatalytic degradation of Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion by Fe3O4@SiO2@mTiO2 nanomicrospheres

A novel magnetic mesoporous nanomicrospheres Fe3O4@SiO2@mTiO2 were synthetized and characterized by a series of techniques including FE-TEM, EDS, FE-SEM, PXRD, XPS, BET, TGA as well as VSM, and subsequently tested as a photocatalyst for the degradation of Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion under UV irradiation. The well-designed nanomicrospheres exhibit a pure and highly crystalline anatase TiO2 layer, large specific surface area, and high-magnetic-response. Photocatalytic degradation of the three organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and the formation intermediates were identified using HPLC, TOC-Vcpn, IC, pH meter and GC-MS. Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion disappeared after 45min, 45min, and 80min UV illumination, respectively. At the end of the treatment, the total organic carbon (TOC) of the OPPs was reduced 80-85%. The main mineralization products were SO4(2-), NO3(-) and PO4(3-) and Omethoate additionally formed NO2(-). Based on the results, we proposed the photocatalytic degradation pathways for Acephate, Omethoate, and Methyl parathion.

Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of Ag–TiO2 nanoparticulate film

Ag–TiO₂ nanoparticulate film was synthesized by dip coating followed by adsorption and photoreduction. This film has demonstrated enhanced rate of photocatalytic degradation of MP when compared to TiO₂ nanoparticulate film.

Photocatalytic degradation of acephate in pak choi, Brassica chinensis, with Ce-doped TiO2

The photocatalytic degradation of acephate was investigated using Ce-doped TiO2 (TiO2/Ce) hydrosol. In contrast to previous research conducted under artificial light in the laboratory, this study investigated the decomposition of acephate in a field trial. The results show that acephate can be efficiently degraded by the TiO2/Ce system under natural field conditions; the degradation efficiency was affected by the dosage of the photocatalyst and acephate. The optimum dosage of TiO2/Ce was 2400 g a.i.ha(-1), and the photodegradation efficiency of acephate reached 93.5% after 20 h at an acephate dosage of 675 g a.i.ha(-1). Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) analysis detected and identified four degradation products-methamidophos, phosphorothioic acid O,O,S-trimethyl ester, S-methyl methanethiosulfonate and phosphorous acid-that were formed during the TiO2/Ce photodegradation of acephate. Based on the structural identification of the degradation products, a probable photodegradation pathway was proposed, and the first decomposition step may be the cleavage of the C‒N bond of acephate. Subsequently, the P‒S and P‒O bonds may be oxidized gradually or simultaneously to complete the mineralization.

IR, Raman and SERS spectral analysis and DFT calculations on the Herbicide O,S-Dimethyl phosphoramidothioate, metamidophos

Infrared, Raman and SERS spectra of O,S-Dimethyl phosphoramidothioate, metamidophos, MAP, have been recorded. Density Functional Theory, DFT, with the B3LYP functional was used for the optimization of the ground state geometry and simulation of the infrared and Raman spectra of this molecule. Calculated geometrical parameters fit very well with the experimental ones. Combining the recorded data, the DFT results and a Normal Coordinate Analysis based on a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field approach, a complete vibrational assignment was made for the first time. The comparison of SERS spectra obtained by using colloidal silver nanoparticles, with the corresponding Raman spectrum reveals enhancement and shifts in bands as well as information about the orientation of MAP on the nm-sized metal structures and the importance of the S atom on the SERS effect. DFT modelling of the SERS effect and Molecular Electrostatic Potentials (MEP) confirms the experimental information.

Titanium Dioxide-Mediated Photcatalysed Degradation of Two Herbicide Derivatives Chloridazon and Metribuzin in Aqueous Suspensions

The aim of this paper is to find out the optimal degradation condition for two potential environmental pollutants, chloridazon and metribuzin (herbicide derivatives), employing advanced oxidation process using TiO2photocatalyst in aqueous suspensions. The degradation/mineralization of the herbicide was monitored by measuring the change in pollutant concentration and depletion in TOC content as a function of time. A detailed degradation kinetics was studied under different conditions such as types of TiO2(anatase/anatase-rutile mixture), catalyst concentration, herbicide concentration, initial reaction pH, and in the presence of electron acceptors (hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulphate, potassium persulphate) in addition to atmospheric oxygen. The photocatalyst, Degussa P25, was found to be more efficient catalyst for the degradation of both herbicides as compared with two other commercially available TiO2powders like Hombikat UV100 and PC500. Chloridazon (CHL) was found to degrade more efficiently under acidic condition, whereas metribuzin (MET) degraded faster under alkaline medium. All three electron acceptors tested in this study were found to enhance the degradation rate of both herbicides.

Use of electrochemical techniques to characterize methamidophos and humic acid specifically adsorbed onto Pt and PtO films

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to study methamidophos (MAP) and humic acid (HM) specifically adsorbed onto Pt and PtO films in pH-7.0 universal buffer. The approach was found to be sufficiently selective for use in studies involving adsorption of species in environmental systems (e.g., soil minerals), typically evaluated by batch experiments and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC). The proposed method allowed quantification of active hydrogen adsorption sites blocked by HM, both when this compound is adsorbed alone or co-adsorbed with MAP. At higher amounts of MAP in the adsorption solution, the compound was co-adsorbed more effectively than HM (kept at constant concentration). In the case of sequential specific adsorption, the first compound adsorbed typically predominates over the second. EIS was more effective for determining the number of blocked active sites on Pt than CV, which was superior for PtO films.

Photoelectrochemical characterization of a robust TiO2/BDD heterojunction electrode for sensing application in aqueous solutions

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and boron-doped diamond (BDD) are two of the most popular functional materials in recent years. In this work, TiO(2) nanoparticles were immobilized onto the BDD electrodes by a dip-coating technique. Continuous and uniform mixed-phase (anatase and rutile) and pure-anatase TiO(2)/BDD electrodes were obtained after calcination processes at 700 and 450 degrees C, respectively. The particle sizes of both types of TiO(2) film range from 20 to 30 nm. In comparison with a TiO(2)/indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, the TiO(2)/BDD electrode demonstrates a higher photoelectrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of organic compounds, such as glucose and potassium hydrogen phthalate. Among all the tested TiO(2) electrodes, the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode demonstrated the highest photoelectrocatalytic activity, which can be attributed to the formation of the p-n heterojunction between TiO(2) and BDD. The electrode was subsequently used to detect a wide spectrum of organic compounds in aqueous solution using a steady-state current method. An excellent linear relationship between the steady-state photocurrents and equivalent organic concentrations was attained. The steady-state oxidation photocurrents of the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode were insensitive to pH in the range of pH 2-10. Furthermore, the electrodes exhibited excellent robustness under strong acidic conditions that the TiO(2)/ITO electrodes cannot stand. These characteristics bestow the mixed-phase TiO(2)/BDD electrode to be a versatile material for the sensing of organic compounds.

Photocatalytic degradation of organophosphate and phosphonoglycine pesticides using TiO2 immobilized on silica gel

The photocatalytic degradation of the three pesticides acephate, dimethoate, and glyphosate in water has been investigated using UV light and TiO2 immobilized on silica gel as photocatalyst. Results show that the pesticides can be efficiently degraded by the UV/TiO2 system used in the study. Complete (100%) decomposition of dimethoate and glyphosate was attained within 60 min of irradiation, while total degradation of acephate occurred after 105 min of photocatalytic treatment. Acephate and dimethoate decomposition followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood apparent first-order degradation kinetics, suggesting the photocatalytic nature of pesticide disappearance, whereas glyphosate decomposition was governed by both adsorption and photocatalytic reactions. Evolution of heteroatoms at their highest oxidized states such as SO(4)(2-), NO(3)(-), and PO(4)(3-) ions provides evidence that pesticide degradation occurred primarily through photocatalytic oxidation reactions. Non-detection of toxic intermediates such as methamidophos and omethoate that have been reported in other studies demonstrates rapid destruction of the pesticides into harmless byproducts using the system.