Degradation of paraquat herbicide using hybrid AOP process: statistical optimization, kinetic study, and estimation of electrical energy consumption

Abstract Background This work studied the performance of UV/PS/TiO 2 NPs and UV/PI/TiO as hybrid advanced oxidation processes for degradation paraquat in aqueous solution, because this very toxic herbicide is used third most widely. Results The effects several factors such UV irradiation, initial oxidant concentration, TiO nanoparticles dosage, pH on efficiency were investigated. process optimization was performed by central composite design a tool response surface methodology 30 mgL ?1 concentration at 25 ? 40 min process. Based results, 77% 90% obtained processes, respectively, optimum conditions. mineralization solution using are about 32% 55%, after min. kinetic studies show that both follow pseudo-first-order model, constants 0.0299 PS 0.0604 PI electrical energy consumption estimated to be 481.60 kWhm ?3 238.41 Conclusions more than conditions