Thesis supervisor: Ottó Horváth
co-supervisor: Zsolt Valicsek
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Pannon Egyetem, Kémia Intézet Abbreviation of location of studies: PE
Description of the research topic:
Fenton technology is widely studied and reported as an interesting alternative for the treatment of industrial wastewaters containing non-biodegradable organic pollutants and dyes. The Fenton process has attracted much attention in environmental protection, due to its strong oxidation ability, which can destroy bio-refractory organic compounds. However, the homogeneous Fenton process has significant disadvantages: (i) iron ions have to be separated from the system at the end of the process by precipitation; (ii) it is limited by a narrow pH range (pH 2–3); and (iii) iron ions may be deactivated due to the complexation with some iron complexing reagents such as phosphate anions and some intermediate oxidation products. To overcome these drawbacks of the homogeneous Fenton process, heterogeneous Fenton and Fenton-like catalysts have recently received much attention. Besides, electrolysis and photocatalysis can also be utilized in realization of Fenton processes. The combination of these two procedures can be used, too, in the photoelectro-Fenton processes. Solid-phase nanosized catalysts based on various iron oxides (e.g., ferrites) proved to be efficient in both oxidative and reductive conversion of organic pollutants. Combination of ferrites with other metals or metal oxides can result in new, more efficient catalysts for this purpose.
The applicant will synthesize various ferrite-based catalyst composites. Several preparation methods (in situ precipitation, hydrothermal heating, calcination) could be used for this purpose. These catalysts will be characterized by a wide range of analytical procedures such as XRD, TEM, FTIR, and diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity of them will be tested in photo- or photoelectro-Fenton procedures applied for degradation of various dyes, which are typical pollutants in industrial wastewaters, e.g. originated from textile factories.
In the case of different types of catalysts and dyes, the optimum conditions should also be determined. Monitoring the decay rate of the starting pollutants and the formation of intermediates, kinetic evaluations would also be done. On the basis of these results, elucidation of the degradation mechanisms will also be realized.
The devices required for the experiments (such as preparation of the catalysts, degradation, and analyses) are available at the Institute of Chemistry.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2019-01-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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