Effects of Nanostructured TiO2 Photocatalysis on Disinfection By-product Formation

The current research used simulated solar light and demonstrated that Aeroxide® P25 and innovative TiO2 photocatalytic nanomaterials decreased the trihalomethane (THM) and haloacetic acid (HAA) formation potential (fp) in model and natural river water sources by degrading natural organic matter (precursors) before disinfection with chlorine. A low and high UV dose (28 and 827 mJ/cm2 , respectively) were applied and, overall, synthetic water THM fp reduced by up to 41 % and HAA fp reduced by up to 36 % while Otonabee River water THM fp reduced by up to 24 % and HAA fp reduced by up to 13%. P25, P25 mixed with 1% of a silver-based product, anatase, and nitrogen doped anatase performed relatively similarly. Advancement in treatment efficiencies emerging from innovations in material science and reactor design, and understanding of water quality impacts and degradation mechanisms, increase the feasibility of incorporating TiO2 photocatalysis in drinking water treatment systems.