Graphite as catalyst for UV-A LED assisted catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of ibuprofen and diclofenac

Abstract

Abstract Ibuprofen (IBU) and Diclofenac (DCF) are two of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used worldwide. Their occurrence in natural streams, as contaminants of emerging concern, evidences the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment plants for their removal. The photocatalytic methods developed so far usually demand either highly energetic light sources working in the UV-C range, or exclusive tailor-made catalysts, which compromise the economy of the process. In this work, IBU and DCF degradation are addressed in a UV-A LED (395\xa0nm) assisted Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation process using graphite as catalyst. Total IBU and DCF removal is achieved in t