Diclofenac (2-[2΄,6΄-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenylacetic acid) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat inflammatory and painful diseases of rheumatic and nonrheumatic origin. The present work deals with the photocatalytic transformation of diclofenac, under simulated solar irradiation using titania suspensions as catalysts to assess the decomposition of the pharmaceutical compound, to identify intermediates, as well as to elucidate some mechanistic details of the degradation. The variation of TiO2 amount and initial diclofenac concentration on the reaction rate, were systematically investigated. The use of the response surface methodology allowed to fit the optimal values of the parameters leading to the degradation of the pollutant. Also, a single polynomial expression modeling the reaction was obtained. Primary degradation follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Photomineralization of the substrate in terms of chlorine ions release was rather a quick process (within 1 h), while the amino moiety is mainly transformed into NH4+ and in a lesser extend into NO3- ions. Evolution of CO2 (loss of TOC) was found to occur within 2 h of irradiation. LC/MS was brought to bear in assessing the temporal course of the photocatalyzed process. Based on our findings a tentative degradation pathway is proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac based on the formation of hydroxy-derivatives before the complete mineralization of the starting molecule. In addition Microtox bioassay (Vibrio fischeri) was employed in evaluating the ecotoxicity of solutions treated by photocatalysis. Results clearly demonstrate the efficiency of the photocatalytic process in the detoxification of the irradiated solution.

Photocatalytic degradation study of diclofenac over aqueous TiO2 suspensions

CALZA, Paola;MEDANA, Claudio;BAIOCCHI, Claudio;PELIZZETTI, Ezio;
2006-01-01

Abstract

Diclofenac (2-[2΄,6΄-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenylacetic acid) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat inflammatory and painful diseases of rheumatic and nonrheumatic origin. The present work deals with the photocatalytic transformation of diclofenac, under simulated solar irradiation using titania suspensions as catalysts to assess the decomposition of the pharmaceutical compound, to identify intermediates, as well as to elucidate some mechanistic details of the degradation. The variation of TiO2 amount and initial diclofenac concentration on the reaction rate, were systematically investigated. The use of the response surface methodology allowed to fit the optimal values of the parameters leading to the degradation of the pollutant. Also, a single polynomial expression modeling the reaction was obtained. Primary degradation follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Photomineralization of the substrate in terms of chlorine ions release was rather a quick process (within 1 h), while the amino moiety is mainly transformed into NH4+ and in a lesser extend into NO3- ions. Evolution of CO2 (loss of TOC) was found to occur within 2 h of irradiation. LC/MS was brought to bear in assessing the temporal course of the photocatalyzed process. Based on our findings a tentative degradation pathway is proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac based on the formation of hydroxy-derivatives before the complete mineralization of the starting molecule. In addition Microtox bioassay (Vibrio fischeri) was employed in evaluating the ecotoxicity of solutions treated by photocatalysis. Results clearly demonstrate the efficiency of the photocatalytic process in the detoxification of the irradiated solution.
2006
67
197
205
Photocatalysis; TiO2; Experimental design; Mineralization; Toxicity; Diclofenac
P. CALZA; V.A. SAKKAS; C. MEDANA; C. BAIOCCHI; A. DIMOU; E. PELIZZETTI; T. ALBANIS
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/43393
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