(29g) Photo-Catalytic Degradation of Pharmaceuticals in Water Matrix Under Simulated Solar Light Using BiOCl/BiOI

BiOCl/BiOI heterojunction catalyst was rapidly prepared at room temperature using microwave assisted method. Photo-catalyst experiment performed in degrading Orange G reveals that BiOCI/BiOI composite with molar ratio of 0.85 to 0.15 exhibited the highest photo-activity in both simulated solar and LED visible light irradiation. Result shows that BiOCl/BiOI composite was better than TiO₂ (P25) and the individual catalyst components. The optimum BiOCl/BIOI composite was further used to degrade pharmaceuticals (Carbamazepine, Ibuprofen, Sulfamethoxazole, and Diclofenac) in water matrix. The high catalyst activity experienced by BiOCl_0.85/BiOI_0.15 is attributed to reduction in electron-hole recombination rate, high surface area for adsorption and harnessing of visible light photons by BiOI in the composite. In addition, a novel photocatalytic continuous flow reactor with large immobilized catalyst area was designed and fabricated for degrading Emerging Contaminants (Pharmaceuticals) in water. The results obtained from these research work will both proffer an energy efficient method in preparing highly active photo-catalyst and a cost effective technique for degrading contaminants in water.