General strategy of this study was based on the operational parameters influencing the photo-catalytic degradation rate of oil polluted wastewater treatment. Titanium Dioxide doped nanofibers (TiO2 NFs) with different parameters that affect the photo- catalytic degradation process for oily wastewater were investigated. These parameters are initial oil concentration, catalyst loading and pH. Emulsifier was used in all experiments to increase the solubility of oil in water.
Maximum oil removal (81.8%) and 66.2% decrease in COD was found when the oil initial concentration is 800 ppm, 0.5 g of (TiO2) at 180 minutes irradiation time using solar photo- catalytic oxidation technique. Small size of (TiO2) particles and its high specific surface and surface energy result in the catalyst agglomeration during the reaction. It causes the reduction of specific surface and limits the multiple application of (TiO2). It is concluded that nanofibers remarkably enhanced TiO2 (without doping) catalyst activity in the removal of oil by solar photo-catalytic oxidation. Since, nanofiber is highly adsorptive, this enhanced activity could be relieved to the adsorption of nanofiber. Suitable adsorption capacity is crucial for high photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the process should be improved in the field of catalyst photo-activity range or the possibility of integration into photo-catalytic reactors.