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TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and ecotoxicological assessment of oxidation by-products

  • Authors (legacy)
    Corresponding: Giusy Lofrano
    Co-authors: Carotenuto M.
    Lofrano G.
    Siciliano A.
    Aliberti F.
    Guida M.
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  • gnest_01346_published.pdf
  • Paper ID
    gnest_01346
  • Paper status
    Published
  • Date paper accepted
  • Date paper online
Abstract

The photocatalytic degradation of caffeine has been investigated in aqueous suspensions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by monitoring process efficiency at varying TiO2 (25 - 175 mg l-1) and initial drug concentrations (0.5 - 9.5 mg l-1). The use of the response surface methodology (RSM) allowed to fit the optimal regions of the parameters leading to the degradation of the pollutant. Also, a single polynomial expression modelling the reaction was obtained. In parallel a set of bioassays (Daphnia magna, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Lactuca sativa) was performed to evaluate the process in terms of detoxification of caffeine oxidation by-products under chronic and acute tests. Results clearly demonstrate that caffeine is quickly degraded, but not mineralized as quickly, and that persistent toxic organic intermediates resist further oxidation.

 

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Lofrano, G. et al. (2014) “TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and ecotoxicological assessment of oxidation by-products ”, Global NEST Journal, 16(3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001346.