The degradation of microcystin-LR using doped visible light absorbing photocatalysts.

Graham, Douglas; Kisch, Horst; Lawton, Linda A.; Robertson, Peter K.J.

Abstract

Microcystins are one of the primary hepatotoxic cyanotoxins released from cyanobacteria. The presence of these compounds in water has resulted in the death of both humans and domestic and wild animals. Although microcystins are chemically stable titanium dioxide photocatalysis has proven to be an effective process for the removal of these compounds in water. One problem with this process is that it requires UV light and therefore in order to develop effective commercial reactor units that could be powered by solar light it is necessary to utilize a photocatalyst that is active with visible light. In this paper we report on the application of four visible light absorbing photocatalysts for the destruction of microcystin-LR in water. The rhodium doped material proved to be the most effective material followed by a carbon-modified titania. The commercially available materials were both relatively poor photocatalysts under visible radiation while the platinum doped catalyst also displayed a limited activity for toxin destruction.

Citation

GRAHAM, D., KISCH, H., LAWTON, L.A. and ROBERTSON, P.K.J. 2010. The degradation of microcystin-LR using doped visible light absorbing photocatalysts. Chemosphere [online], 78(9), pages 1182-1185. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.12.003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 3, 2009
• Online Publication Date: Jan 6, 2010
• Publication Date: Feb 28, 2010
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 30, 2010
• Journal: Chemosphere
• Print ISSN: 0045-6535
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1182-1185
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.12.003
• Keywords: Visible photocatalyst; Cyanotoxin; Microcystin; Water treatment
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/490