Perovskite-type titanate zirconate as photocatalyst for textile wastewater treatment.

Calcium titanate zirconate, Ca(Ti(1-x)Zrx)O3 (CZT), powders have been synthesised by the polymeric precursor method. The structural analysis of the CZT powders was monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and textural analysis. The photocatalytic properties were evaluated by methylene blue (MB) decomposition and real textile wastewater (RTW) combined treatment (coagulation/flocculation/photocatalysis). Chemical oxygen demand (COD) of RTW was successfully reduced from 6195 mg L(-1) (untreated) to 662 mg L(-1) after coagulation/flocculation with a tannin-based coagulant (Tanfloc®) and finally to 471 mg L(-1) after combined treatment (coagulation/flocculation/photocatalysis) applying ultraviolet radiation and CaTiO3 as photocatalyst.