Photocatalytic degradation of humic acid using a novel photocatalyst: Ce-doped ZnOElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6pp00216a

• Main Authors: Birben, N. C, Paganini, M. C, Calza, P, Bekbolet, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 18.01.2017
• ISSN: 1474-905X; 1474-9092
• DOI: 10.1039/c6pp00216a

This study aimed at investigating the photocatalytic degradation of humic acid (HA) as a representative of natural organic matter (NOM) by using Ce-doped ZnO as a novel material. Following photocatalysis, HA degradation was characterized by specified UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic parameters as well as by the dissolved organic carbon (NPOC) content. Excitation-Emission Matrix (EEM) fluorescence features were also evaluated by using advanced techniques. Comparison of Ce-doped ZnO photocatalysis to TiO 2 P-25 photocatalytic treatment of the HA samples was elucidated under similar experimental conditions. Kinetic modeling of the photocatalytic removal of HA expressed promising results indicating that Ce-doped ZnO could serve as an efficient catalyst for the degradation of NOM. This study aimed at investigating the photocatalytic degradation of humic acid (HA) as a representative of natural organic matter (NOM) by using Ce-doped ZnO as a novel material.