Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.336, No.1, 107-110, 2009
TiO2 P-25 anatase rapid precipitation from water by use of struvite formation
UV360nm irradiation of TiO2 P-25 nanoparticle in water Suspension is used for photocatalytic mineralization of pollutants or inactivation of microorganisms. Removal of TiO2 particles from large volumes of water following photocatalytic process is problematic due to their nano-size. So fir no chemical methods are available for TiO2 rapid precipitation while filtration or centrifugation is not feasible because of high cost and limited performance. In the present Study TiO2 was rapidly precipitated from water suspension by formation of the mineral Struvite. Addition of Mg, P, and NH4+ at sochiometric rates of 1:1:1 at pH > 8.3 resulted in TiO2 entrapment into struvite formed flocs and rapid precipitation. Struvite sludge formed and precipitated was observed under HSEM revealing TiO2 entrapment into struvite mineral. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.