Date of Publication
2026
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemistry
Subject Categories
Chemistry
College
College of Science
Department/Unit
Chemistry
Thesis Advisor
Francis M. Dela Rosa
Eric R. Punzalan, co-adviser
Defense Panel Chair
David P. Peñaloza Jr.
Defense Panel Member
Derrick Ethelbert C. Yu
Ian Ken D. Dimzon
Abstract (English)
Pharmaceutical contaminants such as trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) are increasingly detected in aquatic environments, posing significant risks to ecosystems and public health due to their persistence and their role in promoting antibiotic resistance. Various treatment strategies, including physical, chemical, and biological methods, have been explored to address this issue; however, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have garnered particular attention for their ability to generate highly reactive radical species capable of degrading recalcitrant pollutants. Among these, UV/VUV-driven AOPs present a promising and efficient approach, combining the simultaneous photolysis of pollutants with the in-situ generation of reactive species.
This study aims to investigate the simultaneous degradation of TMP and SMX using a UV/VUV-based process, an area that remains largely unexplored. Aqueous solutions containing both compounds were irradiated in a cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a UV/VUV lamp enclosed within a quartz sleeve, under continuous stirring. Samples were collected at defined time intervals and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array (PDA) detector. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize photodegradation conditions across different experimental setups, including reactions without UV/VUV light, UV/VUV alone, and with the addition of Fe²⁺ (Fenton reaction) and sodium percarbonate (SPC) at pH levels 3, 4.5, and 6. Additionally, the influence of different water matrices and the contributions of specific reactive species were evaluated through radical scavenging experiments. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) determinations were also done to interpret mineralization efficiency.
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ang mga kontaminanteng parmasyutikal tulad ng trimethoprim (TMP) at sulfamethoxazole (SMX) ay patuloy na namamataan sa ating mga katubigan, at nagdudulot ng malaking panganib sa ating ekosistema at sa kalusugan ng publiko dahil bukod sa kanilang paglipana, ay maaari rin ang mga itong magdulot ng pagpapalaganap ng “antibiotic resistance”. Iba’t ibang mga estratehiya na ang napag aralan upang tugunan ang problema sa mga kontaminanteng ito, tulad ng pisikal, kemikal, at biyolohikal na pamamaraan. Samantala, ang paggamit ng Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) ay kasalukuyang nakakakuha sa atensyon ng mga mananaliksik dahil sa kakayahan nitong makalikha ng mga reaktibong “radical species” na kayang sirain ang napakatibay na struktura ng iba’t ibang mga pollutant. Kabilang sa teknik na ito, ang mga “UV/VUV-driven AOPs” na nagpapakita ng interesante at epektibong pamamaraan, kung saan pinagsasama nang magkasabay ang photolysis ng mga pollutant at ang in-situ na pagbuo ng mga reaktibong radical species. Layunin ng pag-aaral na ito na siyasatin ang sabayang pagkasira ng TMP at SMX gamit ang isang UV/VUV-based na proseso, isang teknik na hindi pa gaanong napag-aaralan sa ngayon. Ang mga aqueous solution na naglalaman ng parehong compound ay inirradiate sa isang cylindrical glass reactor na may UV/VUV lamp na nakapaloob sa isang quartz sleeve, habang ito ay patuloy na hinahalo gamit ang magnetic stirrer. Kada itinakdang oras ay kumukuha ng sample para suriin gamit ang high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) na may photodiode array (PDA) detector. Ang Response Surface Methodology (RSM) naman ay ginamit upang i-optimize ang mga kondisyon ng photodegradation sa iba’t ibang setup ng eksperimentasyon, kabilang rito ang mga reaksyon na walang UV/VUV light, UV/VUV lamang, at may pagdagdag ng Fe²⁺ (Fenton reaction) at sodium percarbonate (SPC) sa pH na 3, 4.5, at 6. Bukod dito, sinuri rin ang impluwensya ng iba’t ibang water matrices at ang kontribusyon ng mga partikular na reaktibong radical species sa pamamagitan ng radical scavenging experiments. Isinagawa rin ang Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis upang masuri kung gaano ka-epektibo ang mineralisasyon.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Trimethoprim; Sulfamethoxazole; Fenton's reagent; Ultraviolet radiation—Industrial applications
Recommended Citation
Dumelod, J. C. (2026). Simultaneous degradation of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim using UV/VUV - fenton/percarbonate process. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_chem/35
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Embargo Period
4-14-2027
