Soluble bio-organic substances (SBO) isolated from urban wastes are promising materials for environmental purposes. Although they are photoactive, the screen effect produced by these highly coloured materials compensate for the enhanced photogenerated of oxidizing species; hence they are not efficient photocatalysts under solar irradiation. However, they have been employed to extend the use of photo-Fenton processes to milder pH values.  Three batches of SBOs, have been investigated and differences in the functional groups present in the macromolecules can explain major trends in the physical/chemical properties. Bioassays have proven those materials to be non toxic but showing poor biodegradability.  Their ability to enhance a photo-Fenton process at milder pH has been investigated using a mixture of emerging compounds under simulated sunlight. In fact, the photochemical processes can be extended up to pH values of ca. 5 without suffering a significant loss of efficiency. This can be attributed to the ability of SBOs to complex iron, thus preventing the non-active iron oxides or hydroxides.

Use of soluble organics isolated from urban wastes as auxiliaries for mild photo-Fenton processes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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