Enhanced Photodegradation of Paracetamol Using Magnetite Loaded on Waste Tyre Carbon Catalyst

Abstract

In the recent years, traces of pharmaceutical waste particularly paracetamol (PCT) in water body had increases due to the increasing of its usage and production. Since the discharge of wastewater containing PCT into water body cause harm to environment and human health, it is crucial to find a suitable treatment method to overcome this problem. In this study, a series of magnetite, Fe₃O₄ loaded on waste tyre carbon (WTC) catalyst was synthesized via electrochemical method. The different weight loading of Fe₃O₄ loaded on WTC was evaluated for degradation of PCT under UV light irradiation. The catalyst was subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and N₂ adsorption-desorption to study their physicochemical properties. The highest degradation percentage of PCT (76%) with initial degradation rate of 0.024 mg/L.min was achieved with 5% Fe₃O₄ loaded on WTC. This optimum degradation was notice at PCT concentration of 5 mg/L (pH 5) using 0.4 g/L of 5% Fe₃O₄/WTC for 2 h reaction. Finally, the result could contribute to electrosynthesis advancement of Fe₃O₄ loaded on abundant waste tyre carbon for the removal of pharmaceutical waste in wastewater.