Degradação foto(cata)lítica de cloridrato de propranolol: otimização das variáveis de reação

Abstract

The increasing presence of pharmaceuticals in water bodies has driven research on advanced removal methods, as these emerging contaminants are not efficiently eliminated by conventional water treatment processes. In this study, the photo(cata)lytic degradation of propranolol hydrochloride in an aqueous medium was investigated using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) synthesized by the polymeric precursor method. The material was characterized by Xray Diffraction (XRD), N₂ Physisorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), allowing the assessment of its crystalline structure, textural and morphological properties, and functional groups present on the surface. The photo(cata)lytic assays were conducted under visible radiation, varying the photo(cata)lyst concentration and airflow rate to identify the optimal conditions for drug degradation. The results demonstrated that process efficiency was directly influenced by the photo(cata)lyst concentration but not by the airflow rate, achieving significant contaminant removal under optimized conditions. The photo(cata)lytic process followed first-order kinetics. Thus, this study reinforces the potential of heterogeneous photocatalysis as a promising alternative for treating pharmaceutical-contaminated waters, contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact caused by these pollutants.