Involvement of process parameters and various modes of application of TiO2 nanoparticles in heterogeneous photocatalysis of pharmaceutical wastes – a short review

Abstract

In recent years, the occurrence of persistent organic compounds in industrial as well as municipal effluents is becoming a serious threat to the environment. The pharmaceutical compounds present along with those organics have a detrimental effect on our environment. Among various well established wastewater treatment technologies, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) using TiO₂ nanoparticles have shown promising results against various organic wastewater pollutants. This study represents an in-depth review of applications of TiO₂ in the treatment of various pharmaceutical wastes and the effects of associated process controlling parameters. It also highlights aspects of different application techniques of TiO₂ nanoparticles and the involvement of reaction kinetics in photocatalytic degradation.