Pharmaceuticals are among the organic pollutants most frequently detected in the aquatic environment (in wastewater, groundwater, soil, surface water and living organisms). Their presence has a strong impact on the environment and on human and animal health. For this reason, the development of research and processes for the degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants has begun.
Heterogeneous photocatalysis based on TiO$_2$ is one of the most promising methods for removing pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater. This method is the basis for the research that was conducted as part of my diploma thesis. The usefulness of TiO$_2$ as a photocatalyst is based on its high activity, its chemical and biological stability and its affordability.
The aim of the study was to test how well selected pharmaceutical pollutants are photocatalytically degraded under UV and visible light. For this purpose, the TiO$_2$ catalyst was first prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and then photocatalytic tests were carried out. The concentration of the pharmaceuticals was determined using high-resolution liquid chromatography. The results showed that some pharmaceuticals were less persistent and were completely degraded, while others were not. Photocatalytic tests were also performed with a mixture of five different pharmaceuticals and confirmed that these results differed from the results obtained with single pharmaceuticals. This illustrates the complexity created by the simultaneous presence of different pharmaceutical contaminants.
As mentioned in the title of this thesis, the photocatalytic tests were performed under UV and visible light. Pharmaceutical pollutants were degraded when both light source was used. The degradation was more efficient when photocatalysis took place under UV light.
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