Photocatalytic Ozonation of Deltamethrin: A 3D Response Surface Methodology Approach

Abstract Excessive use of pesticide is known to be hazardous to the environment, soil fertility and may impart toxicity in living beings. Nowadays different Advanced Oxidation Processes have been used to treat pesticide pollution. Among all these AOPs Photocatalytic ozonation is most effective and inexpensive. In this study deltamethrin was degraded from synthetic wastewater using photocatalytic ozonation. TiO2/WO3 catalyst has been used and prepared from sol-gel method. For ozone gas constant flow ozonator has been used. To measure the combined effects of catalyst dosage, pH, and pesticide concentration on deltamethrin degradation, 3D response surface approach is utilized. Results of photocatalytic ozonation analysis show that 26% degradation of deltamethrin after 60 minutes of reaction time. By eliminating issues like catalyst recycling and making it simple to apply on an industrial scale, photocatalytic ozonation provides an effective and environmentally friendly method of treating pesticide.