Photocatalytic Removal of Aniline from Synthetic Wastewater using ZnO Nanoparticle under Ultraviolet Irradiation

Aniline has been used in different processes of chemical industries، however due to its side effects on the environment، several methods have been considered for its removal. In this study، we evaluated the performance of photocatalytic process using ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for removal of Aniline from a synthetic effluent. A 5L photocatalytic reactor made from Plexiglas، which the UV lamp (20w) installed in the center of that (inside a quartz jacket)، was designed and nZnO (0. 2-0. 5 g/l) was being added into synthetic effluent with Aniline concentration of 250 ppm. After retention times of 30، 60، and 90 min، samples were centrifuged and supernatant was filtered using a 0. 2 µ PTFE filter. The liquid-liquid method and Gas Chromatography instrument was used for extraction and analysis respectively. Results showed that the photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could effectively remove Aniline from effluent. Increasing trend in the removal efficiency of Aniline using nZnO = 0. 5 g/l was slower in comparison with other nZnO concentrations and the ANOVA analysis shows no significant difference between removal efficiency of Aniline in different concentrations of nZnO. The most removal efficiency of Aniline (76. 3%) was observed in alkaline pH، retention time of 90 min and nZnO of 0. 5 g/l. It could be concluded that the photocatalytic process of nZnO+UV could be suitable technique for Aniline removal from effluents.