Combination of Advanced Oxidation Processes and Biological treatments for Endocrine Disruptors degradation

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to study the degradation of Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) on wastewater using Advanced
Oxidation Processes (AOPs). These will be combine with a subsequent biological digestion. In order to achieve this goal, different materials were synthesized and characterized for being used catalysts for heterogeneous photocatalytic and photo-Fenton reactions. Once that suitable materials are found, a technical and economic balance will be performed to combine both treatments. This work presents some preliminary essays where Bisphenol A (BPA) is studied, as a model EDs, in the mentioned catalytic reactions, investigating and optimizing the best material to subsequently perform tests on other EDs and their impact on the biological system. Mesoporous silica materials (KIT-6) were modified by adding Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn to be used in Bisphenol A (BPA) degradation, by means of Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions, in heterogeneous phase. This materials where characterized using adsorption and desorption isotherms of N2 at 77 K, structural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and visible ultraviolet spectroscopy with diffuse reflectance (UV-vis). Their catalytic activity was measure, in presence of H2O2, with UV and visible radiation, presenting the most relevant results. The material with Fe presents an interesting activity that needs to be further studied, when being irradiated with an LED source.