Evaluating the efficiency of photo catalytic process of persulfate activated with pulsed light in removing nitroaniline from aqueous solutions

Nitroaniline is a derivative of aniline known for its high toxicity, potential carcinogenicity, and mutagenic effects. A practical method for removing these compounds from aqueous solutions is applying advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This study aims to investigate the efficiency of the activated persulfate process in removing nitroaniline from aqueous solutions under controlled laboratory conditions.

To conduct this study, the impact of various variables, including pH levels (ranging from 3 to 11), contact time (15 to 120 minutes), nitroaniline concentration (ranging from 1 to 30 mg/L), and persulfate concentration (ranging from 100 to 800 mg/L), on synthetic samples was examined. Post-treatment, the remaining nitroaniline concentration was measured using a UV-vis spectrophotometer at 530 nm. Independent t-tests and descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were employed to analyze the acquired data.

The activated persulfate process with pulsed light achieved the highest nitroaniline removal efficiency at 98.2%. This result was obtained under specific conditions: a contact time of 90 minutes, a pH level of 8, an activated persulfate concentration of 600 mg/L, and a nitroaniline concentration of 1 mg/L. Our findings indicate that the photocatalytic process of persulfate activated by pulsed light adheres to the second-order kinetic model.

Based on the outcomes of this study, the persulfate process activated by pulsed light displayed significant effectiveness in removing nitroaniline from aqueous solutions. Therefore, owing to its high removal efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and straightforward management, it is recommended to employ this process to remove organic and resistant pollutants from aqueous solutions.