Degradation of diethyl phthalate using a visible photocatalytic membrane reactor

In this research work, a photocatalytic membrane reactor is constructed and evaluated for the degradation and removal of diethyl phthalate with Fe-doped TiO 2 as a photocatalyst in visible light. The performance of the reactor is studied in a batch operating mode and it is found that the percentage of degradation and removal of diethyl phthalate depends on initial conditions like concentration, catalyst dosage, and intensity of visible light. The degradation percentage of diethyl phthalate has been found to be about 83% in the dark, but in the presence of light, about 96% percentage of diethyl phthalate degradation has been achieved. The degradation efficiency of about 47% is achieved for 0.1 mg/L catalyst loading in the photocatalytic reactor system. However, for 0.5 mg/L dosage of Fe-doped TiO 2 catalyst loading, the degradation efficiency has increased to 96% of diethyl phthalate which is almost doubled. The reactor has been studied in a continuous operating mode and it was found that the pH and cake formation cause the fouling in the membrane. SEM analysis is done for the membrane to study the membrane surface structure and found that the deposition of the catalyst and the other compounds on the surface causes fouling. The back washing of the membrane can recover the catalyst which can be reused. Graphical Abstract