Preparation of ternary photocatalysts and their application in the degradation of 1,4-dioxane using O3/UV/photocatalyst process

Heterogeneous photocatalytic ozonation (HPO) has been demonstrated an efficient approach for removing many organic pollutants. Therefore, the selection and preparation of suitable photocatalyst to eliminate 1,4-dioxane (1,4-D), a persistent organic pollutant, is rather important. In this study, three ternary nanocomposites (TZM-300, TZM-400, and TZM-500) were prepared by calcining a mixture of TiO2, ZnO, and Mg(OH)(2) at 300 degrees C, 400 degrees C, and 500 degrees C, respectively. The order of degradation rates of 1,4-D in HPO was ranked as TZM-400 > TZM-500 > TZM-300 > ZnO > Mg(OH)(2) > TiO2. The 1,4-D degradation and mineralization rate of TZM-400 could achieve nearly 100% and 84.37% in 40 min, respectively. The best photocatalytic performance of TZM-400 could be ascribed to the efficient transfer of electrons and holes between TiO2, ZnO, and Mg(OH)(2), which can inhibit the electron-hole pairs recombination. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that HPO was better than pristine photocatalysis and ozonation process for removing 1,4-D owing to the generation of a large amount of active species. At last, the degradation pathways of 1,4-D were also illuminated. Therefore, the results has indicated TiO2/ZnO/Mg (OH)(2) ternary nanocomposite is a promising photocatalyst with HPO for 1,4-D degradation.