Environmental Remediation by Light Driven Advanced Oxidation Processes: Pollutant Degradation and Bacterial Disinfection

This PhD thesis in Chemical Science started in November 2015 at the School of Advanced Studies of University of Camerino. The research activity described in this PhD thesis was carried out at University of Camerino in the School of Science and Technology (Dr. Rita Giovannetti’s Research Group) and at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in the Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques (Prof. César Pulgarin’s Research Group). In this PhD thesis, after a “GENERAL INTRODUCTION” about the aim of the PhD project, are reported an INTRODUCTION regarding environmental and water pollution and Advanced Oxidation Processes, in Chapter 1, and two successive Sections. In Section 1, entitled “GRAPHENE BASED TiO2 NANOCOMPOSITES FOR PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF SYNTHETIC DYES”, are present three Chapters. After a general introduction in Chapter 2 on TiO2 and Graphene-TiO2 photocatalysis, in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 are reported all obtained results. In particular, in Chapter 3 is reported the first work regarding the preparation and optimization of a new heterogeneous photocatalyst constituted by TiO2 and graphene prepared by exfoliation of graphite, with a special attention into preparation and characterization of graphene dispersion. The new graphene-TiO2 photocatalyst was used for the photodegradation of Alizarin Red S solution under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, in Chapter 4 is reported the second work regarding the preparation, optimization and characterization of a new heterogeneous photocatalyst constituted by TiO2 and reduced graphene oxide prepared by thermal reduction of graphene oxide, with a special attention into preparation and characterization of reduced graphene oxide dispersion. As in the case of Chapter 3, the new reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 photocatalyst was used for the photodegradation of Alizarin Red S solution under visible light irradiation. In Section 2, entitled “SOLAR DISINFECTION AND PHOTO-FENTON PROCESSES FOR BACTERIA INACTIVATION IN WATER”, are present two Chapters. After a general introduction in Chapter 5 on Solar Disinfection and Photo-Fenton treatments for water depuration, in Chapter 6 are reported all obtained results. In particular, the effect of the presence of various inorganic ions, which individually or in combination with each other can act as scavenger of OH radicals or can produce additional OH radicals or other active radical species on inactivation of Escherichia Coli with Solar Disinfection and Photo-Fenton processes is discussed in detail. Results of this PhD thesis are published and/or submitted for publication in scientific international journals and presented as Congress communications.