Ketorolac removal through photoelectrocatalysis using TiO2 nanotubes in water system

Abstract Ketorolac, a highly persistent NSAID of environmental concern, was significantly removed from water (80% removal) through photoelectrocatalysis where titanium dioxide nanotubes prepared by Ti foil electrochemical anodization at 30 V were used as photoanodes. 15 mgL-1 ketorolac solutions in a 0.05 M Na2SO4 aqueous medium were subjected to irradiation from a 365 nm light with an intensity of 1 mWcm-2 and under an applied potential of 1.3 V (vs. Hg/Hg2SO4/sat.K2SO4)) at pH 6.0. When each process (photo and electrocatalysis) was carried out separately, less than 20% drug removal was achieved as monitored through UV-vis spectrophotometry. Through scavenging experiments, direct oxidation on the photogenerated holes and oxidation by hydroxyl radicals formation were found to play a key role on ketorolac´s degradation. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses also showed a significant COD decreased (68%) since the initial COD value was 31.3 mg O2/L and the final COD value was 10.1 mg O2/L. A 48% mineralization was also achieved, as shown by total organic carbon (TOC) analyses. These results showed that electrodes based on titania nanotubes are a promising alternative material for simultaneous photocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes in water remediation.