Suspended and Immobilized TiO2 Photocatalytic Degradation of Estrogens: Potential for Application in Wastewater Treatment Processes

This work evaluated the photocatalytic activity of suspended TiO2, and TiO2-coated glass Raschig rings with respect to degradation of estrogens estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in aqueous solutions and wastewater effluent samples. Gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) studies were carried out to identify degradation products for EE2. TiO2 suspensions allowed degradation rates higher than 90% for all studied estrogens in 30 min for an artificial (ultraviolet A) UVA-assisted process and aqueous solution. Immobilized TiO2 showed less favorable de...