1. Preparation and characterization of catalysts based on metal nanoparticles of Pd-Fe on different supports such as Al2O3, TiO2 or hidrotalcites, which are active for in-situ generation of H2O2 by selective oxidation of hydrogen or a soluble source of hydrogen like formic acid, hydrazine, etc, with oxygen, with the objective to reduce the amount of noble metal present in the catalyst, thereby reducing the cost of the catalyst. To do this, new methodologies of metal nanoparticles synthesis will be studied.

 

2. Application of the synthesized catalysts for the removal of water contaminants using synthetic model compounds in heterogeneous Fenton-type processes using the in situ generation of H2O2. Also, incorporate a light source to the system to study the photo-Fenton process with in-situ generation of H2O2 .

 

3. The coordination with the Group of the UEX, regarding the preparation of catalytic materials to be applied in both AOPs.

 

4. Perform experiments of catalytic and photocatalytic oxidation with in situ generation of H2O2 with the best catalysts synthesized by the UEX group (containing and no containing Pd) in order to compare the results between the different AOPs

 

5. Application of the best catalysts synthesized for the treatment of real wastewater. The origins of wastewater will be secondary effluents from urban wastewater and industrial effluents from different sectors. In this case, depending on their nature, could be applied, if necessary a biological treatment before or after the AOP in order to optimize its photocatalytic or catalytic oxidation achieving COD and BOD levels suitable for reuse.

 

6. Compare the above results, obtained with the most active and effective catalysts with those of conventional Fenton and photo-Fenton processes.

 

7. Following aspects will be studied in all cases: a) From catalysts: type of capping agent during the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, selection of solvent, reaction time, Pd and Fe precursors, synthesis temperature, in order to control the size and shape of nanoparticles. b) From AOP: Effect of operating variables (pH, concentration of catalyst, concentration of hydrogen or other sources of hydrogen, temperature, type and intensity of radiation, refractory nature of the contaminant, pollutant load of wastewater, etc) c) The mechanism and kinetics of the process d) The ecotoxicity and degree of mineralization e) If necessary, in the case of industrial wastewater, the combination with biological treatment