Efficiency of Photocatalytic Degradation of Humic Acid Using Magnetic Nanoparticles (Fe-doped TiO₂@Fe₃O₄) in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Background: Among water pollutants, Natural Organic Matters (NOMs) are highly important for making problems in water treatment plants. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of humic acid using magnetic nanoparticles (Fe-doped TiO2@Fe3O4) in aqueous solutions. Methods: In the present experiment, Fe-doped TiO2@Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel method, and SEM, XRD, and DRS analyzes were utilized to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. The effects of various variables, including pH (3 - 11), initial concentration of humic acid (20 - 80 mg/L), and concentration of nanoparticles (250 - 2000 mg/L) at different reaction times (15 - 60 min) were investigated on the photocatalytic degradation of humic acid. Results: The maximum degradation efficiency of humic acid at pH 3, the initial humic acid concentration of 5 mg/L, nanoparticle dose of 400 mg/L, and reaction time of 60 min using a 15-W bare UV lamp. Conclusions: Due to the high efficiency of photocatalytic degradation, it is proposed to use for the removal of humic acid from water resources.