Synthesis of BiOCl using Cl source from industrial wastewater and its application for wastewater treatment

Cl− in industrial wastewater from glyphosate production has been used as Cl source to synthesize BiOCl photocatalyst via a simple solvothermal route. The crystalline, morphology, specific surface area and optical properties of photocatalysts prepared under various conditions have been investigated. BiOCl photocatalyst prepared in acidic solution shows the highest crystallinity and without impurities and microcellular structure. The degradation of industrial wastewater contaminants demonstrates the possibility of this BiOCl used in industrial wastewater treatment and phosphorus recycling through the subsequent phosphorus recovery processes. This study not only sheds light on the possibility of photocatalysts’ preparation in situ using industrial wasterwater as raw materials and the feasibility of using photocatalysis technology in wastewater treatment area, but also the chloride ions have been removed as an available resource and the corrosion to treatment facilities has been slowed down. The phosphorus and nitrogen resources can be recycled by other subsequent recycle recoveries. It offers a novel way for the wastewater treatment process in succession from photocatalysts’ manufacture to contaminants disposal.