Assessing the Efficiency of TiO2-Modified Rubber Tiles for Photocatalytic Degradation of Rainwater Runoff Contaminants
Source abstract
Abstract
Triclosan (TCS), a persistent antimicrobial and endocrine-disrupting compound, is commonly found in surface and groundwater due to incomplete removal by conventional wastewater treatment. This study evaluated its fate in authentic rainwater runoff collected from a state road using rubber tiles made from recycled tires that were either uncoated (RRT) or coated with TiO2 via the sol–gel method (SGT). Pollutants were analyzed by a high-resolution liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry system (LC/MS QTOF) before and after treatment in a flat-plate cascade reactor under UV-A irradiation. After 120 min SGT achieved >50% TCS removal, while RRT achieved ~44%. Further analysis identified degradation products (chlorocatechole, quinone, and transient dioxin-like species). ECOSAR predictions indicated moderate to high toxicity for some degradation products, but their transient and low-abundance detection suggests that photocatalysis suppresses accumulation, ultimately yielding less harmful products such as benzoic acid. These findings highlight the dual role of TiO2-coated rubber tiles: improving material durability while enabling photocatalytic degradation.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Water and Wastewater Treatment
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova Aleja 7, HR-42000 Varaždin, Croatia
Faculty of Metallurgy, University of Zagreb, Aleja Narodnih Heroja 3, HR-44000 Sisak, Croatia
Funding
project “Recycling rubber and solar photocatalysis: ecological innovation for passive air and health protection”, supported by the European Regional Development Fund
References (74)
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