Study of filter materials for remediation of arsenic and fluoride in water

Abstract

Photocatalytic materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) represent a promising alternative for the remediation of contaminated waters. However, one of the difficulties that its use presents is the difficulty of extracting it of the remediated medium. An alternative is the adhesion of the photocatalyst in particles capable of settling or extracting by magnetization. The proposal of this work is the study of the adhesion of TiO₂ rutile on nearby sand (Monte Hermoso) which, due to its high content of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), represents a superior solution. Sand has excellent properties as a filter material and its oxide and iron salt content contribute to the removal of arsenic compounds. On the other hand, rutile TiO₂ allows the removal of fluoride ions by adsorption. The present study begins with the characterization of sand and TiO₂, the analysis of the affinity between both compounds and the study of the removal of arsenic and fluoride by the isolated materials. It will continue with remediation studies of TiO₂
supported in sand for compounds of arsenic and fluoride in water.