The transformation of pollutants with ozone and advanced oxidation processes

There is a growing amount of evidence that persistent micropollutants, accumulating in the water, are presenting increasing threat to global ecosystem and to human health. There are several technical choices to address this problem (reverse osmosis, adsorption and oxidation). Among oxidation techniques there is a growing interest for the ozonation and a group of so called advanced oxidation processes (AOP). The first aim of proposed project is to extend the knowledge associated with ozonization and advanced oxidation processes of micropollutant removal from drinking and waste water. We intend to study reaction mechanisms, unstable intermediates and end products, involved in these reactions. Better understanding of these chemical processes should result in improved methods of water treatment and perhaps contribute to development of more environmental-friendly substitutes of micropollutants. The second goal of the proposed project is to develop new analytical techniques for the determination of pollutants and their metabolites in the environment. The third important goal is to prepare and test various TiO2 films as a component of advanced oxidation process (AOP). We intent to combine the knowledge from physical organic (reaction mechanisms), analytical (detection and quantification) and inorganic (preparation of catalytic TiO2 films) chemistry. Through the development of new sustainable technologies we wish to increase the quality of life.