Removal of organic contamination by visible light photocatalytic-adsorption effect

The purification of wastewater from the organic drugs is a relevant global problem. The aim of this work was the elimination of organic contamination from water by means of a toxic alumina industrial waste, the red mud. Both environmental and economic requirements were respected by application of an industrial waste. The photocatalysis can be performed in visible region instead of generally applied ultraviolet light. The photodegradation properties of red mud (RM) were tested by means of model agents (methylene blue, Congo red, and crystal violet) and real organic pollutants (cortisone, corticosterone, and naproxen). The mechanism of the degradation process (photocatalytic effect and/or adsorption) has been determined. The degradation effect of RM was measured by ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) and fluorescence spectroscopies. The degradation of the organic compounds was controlled even by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).