Evaluation of microcystin-LR photocatalytic degradation in aqueous solutions by BiVO<sub>4</sub>/NaY-Zeolite nanocomposite: determination of optimum conditions by response surface methodology (RSM)
Negar Jafari, Ali Abdolahnejad, Ali Behnami, Amir Mohammadi, Farzad Fanaei, Afshin Ebrahimi
Abstract
Microcystin leucine-arginine (MC-LR), is a hepatotoxic agent produced by cyanobacteria, capable of posing a serious threat to the human and ecological environment. In this study, bismuth vanadate (BiVO4)/NaY-Zeolite nanocomposite was intended for degradation of MC-LR in aquatic solutions. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the operating variables affecting MC-LR removal. The results showed that the maximum removal efficiency (RE) of MC-LR was 96.26%, which achieved in the optimal conditions of pH = 7, contact time of 135 min, and catalyst dose of 0.75 g/L. The findings of this study indicate that BiVO4/NaY-Zeolite could be a promising catalyst for MC-LR degradation.