Sulfamethoxazole removal from polluted water by immobilized photocatalysis

The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 deposits (Degussa P25 and Millennium PC500) has been studied using sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as a model water pollutant and a UV fluorescent lamp as a light source (365nm). Both catalysts have shown very similar properties in the photocatalytic degradation of SMX. Special attention has been given to the effect of the irradiation time, pH, and pollutant concentration. No mass-transfer limitations are observed. The degradation of SMX is accelerated at low concentration, and the photocatalytic degradation kinetics obey the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, allowing the adsorption and apparent rate constants to be determined for both catalysts.