Photocatalytic Removal of Toluene Vapour Pollutant from the Air Using Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Supported on the Natural Zeolite

BACKGROUND: The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial and urban areas has adverse effects on the environment and human health. Toluene, the main pollutant among the VOCs, has wide applications in different industries such as plastics, adhesives, silicone sealant, paint, etc. This study aimed to remove of toluene from the air by using TiO2 nanoparticles supported on the natural zeolite using the photo-catalytic process. METHODS: This is an experimental study that was conducted in 2017 in the Chemical Agents Laboratory of the Occupational Health Engineering Department at Jundishapur University in Ahvaz. Toluene vapour decomposition was carried out using UV/ZE, UV/TiO2, and UV/TiO2-ZE under continuous flows conditions. The effects of toluene initial concentration, retention time, and nanocomposite surface weight on toluene vapour decomposition were also investigated. RESULTS: When UV/TiO2 and UV/TiO2-ZE systems are performed, increasing the initial toluene concentration reduces the efficiency of photocatalytic decomposition. The SEM images of TiO2-ZE catalyst show that zeolite pores were occupied by titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Moreover, the combination of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and zeolite has an incremental effect on toluene decomposition. Increasing retention time raises toluene decomposition, and the increased nanocomposite surface weight raises decomposition to the maximum level (70%) at 33.68 mg/cm2 weight and then decreases. CONCLUSION: The increasing toluene decomposition rate by using the TiO2-ZE nanocomposite can be due to the incremental effect of absorption and photocatalytic decomposition.