Degradation of Cyanide using Stabilized S, N-TiO2 Nanoparticles by Visible and Sun Light

Abstract

In this paper, cyanide degradation (at pH12) using S, N-TiO2 photo-catalyst, synthesized by sol-gel method, stabilizedon glass microbeads and scoria stones were investigated. The main raw materials were thiourea (Tu) as a source of S and N and tetra butyl orthotitanate (TBOT). The effects of S and N amount, visible and sun light, irradiation time and different initial cyanide concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/L) on destruction of cyanide were studied. The S, N-TiO2 film with 0.25 g thiourea showed the best cyanide destruction in visible light. The results showed that cyanide (50 mg/L) was destructed up to 94% in visible light and approximately 100% in sun light by S, N-TiO2/glass microbead. The results also indicated 85% and 94% destruction in visible and sun light respectively by S, N-TiO2/scoria stone within 4 h. Finally, the S, N-TiO2 stabilized on glass microbeads can be effectively implemented as a new method for treatment of wastewater containing free cyanide under sun light.