Fotocatálise Heterogênea de Nb2O5 aplicada ao tratamento do efluente da ETE-UFRN

Abstract

The growth of industries and urban centers entails a large discharge of effluents of the most diverse characteristics. The search for an effective treatment method for residues steps into Advanced Oxidative Processes (AOPs) and photochemistry areas, including its sub-branch, heterogeneous photocatalysis. This last works based upon semiconductors that, when photoexcited by the action of UV radiation present in the light, generates hydroxyl radicals (•OH) able to degrading and mineralizing the organic and inorganic components present in the midst, as well as eliminating microorganisms. The objective of this work is to observe the action of the niobium oxide (V) (Nb2O5) semiconductor irradiated by sunlight on the elimination of bacteria present in the effluent from the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. For that, the reaction system with samples of the WTP’s effluent was exposed to sunlight for one hour. In different experiments, other oxides (TiO2 and WO3) were applied and Nb2O5 concentrations modified for comparative purposes. The results obtained were that Nb2O5 is able to reduce the number of bacteria in the effluent, although it is not able to inactivate them. The same was true for TiO2. The work opens opportunities for the improvement of the reactive system and its applicability in the WTP.