Innovative Sun-Powered Photocatalyst Developed for Wastewater Treatment
Breakthrough in Wastewater Treatment Technology
Rourkela: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology in Rourkela have created a groundbreaking photocatalyst system that harnesses natural sunlight to treat industrial wastewater. This innovative approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution, particularly beneficial for rural areas and regions with limited resources. The system incorporates iron-doped nano-titania and graphene oxide, which are immobilized on spherical beads made from eco-friendly concrete. These beads utilize zeolite derived from coal fly ash, an industrial byproduct that enhances the material's mechanical strength, porosity, and absorption capabilities. This unique combination allows the photocatalyst to effectively decompose toxic pollutants in wastewater using only sunlight.
The research, published in the Journal of Water Processing Engineering, features contributions from Prof. Subhankar Paul of the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, along with Dr. Sohel Das and research scholar Uma Sankar Mondal. Two patents have been filed for this technology. The first patent, titled ‘Titania and Graphene Oxide-Based Photo-Fenton Catalyst and Use Thereof’, is registered under application number 202331071180 and has been published. The second patent, ‘Development of Green Concrete Beads Coated With Metal-Doped Nano-Titania and Silica Conjugate as Photocatalyst and Use Thereof’, is under application number 202431083867 and is currently in the publication phase with the First Examination Report issued.
Prof. Paul noted that the system demonstrated an impressive reduction of over 82% in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), a critical indicator of water quality, when tested on simulated wastewater under sunlight. Additionally, the photocatalyst maintained more than 90% of its efficiency after 15 reuse cycles, highlighting its durability and suitability for practical applications. The beads can be conveniently added to wastewater reservoirs exposed to sunlight and removed post-treatment, making this system ideal for decentralized treatment processes. Unlike traditional photocatalysts that depend on ultraviolet light and are often non-reusable, this technology operates solely on sunlight, significantly lowering operational costs and complexity. This innovation addresses the pressing global issue of industrial water pollution, with potential uses in treating effluents from various industries, including textiles, leather, paints, pharmaceuticals, and metal processing, as well as municipal wastewater and contaminated natural water sources.