BaTiO3/TiO2 composite-assisted photocatalytic degradation for removal of acetaminophen from synthetic wastewater under UV–vis irradiation

Abstract This study investigates the performance of BaTiO 3 and its composite with TiO 2 for photodegradation of acetaminophen (Ace) from synthetic wastewater. The morphology of the BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite, acting as a photocatalyst, was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Χ-ray diffraction (ΧRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–vis absorption spectra techniques. The effects of operating parameters on the photo- degradation reaction and its degradation mechanisms were also investigated. The removal of Ace by photocatalytic degradation using BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite was evaluated and compared to that of TiO 2 and BaTiO 3 alone in terms of dosage, initial concentration, reaction time, and pH. It was found that the performance of the BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite as the photocatalyst in this study could be improved by varying the ratio of BaTiO 3 and TiO 2 dose. The BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 ratio of 3:1 (w/w) was found to maximize the photodegradation of Ace. Under optimized conditions of 5 mg/L of Ace concentration, 1 g/L of BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite, pH 7 and 4 h of reaction time, an Ace removal of 95% was attained. The result of photocatalytic degradation by the BaTiO 3 /TiO 2 composite was significantly higher (95%) than that by the individual BaTiO 3 (18%) and TiO 2 (33%) alone under the same conditions. The oxidation by-products, resulting from this treatment, included hydroquinone and 1,4-benzoquinone. It is important to note that the treated effluents still could not meet the maximum limit of less than 0.2 mg/L set by the China's and the US’ legislation. This suggests that subsequent treatment using biological processes is still required to complement the degradation of the target pollutant in the samples.