The offered method of water purification is based on the photocatalytic degradation of contaminations. Photocatalysts are received as a results of the modification of layered nanoclays by polymers that can absorb both visible and ultraviolet light. Experimental tests have shown that hybrid photocatalysts may efficiently degrade water pollutants as a result of oxidation by singlet oxygen energy or electron transfer. Morover it has been proved that hybrid photocatalysts have the ability to adsorb hydrophobic compounds thereby additionally improving the water purification process. Hybrid photocatalysts are especially wellsuited for the photodegradation of pesticides aromatic compounds (e.g. chlorinated aromatic compounds) phenols and cyanides.
Most of the currently applied photo catalysts are based on low molecular organic compounds which are toxic and difficult to be removed from the photo reaction environment. Also they often cannot be used in an aqueous environment because of their insolubility. In comparison the key features of the hybrid photocatalysts that are the subject of the presented offer are as follows: 1) they can be used in an aqueous environment 2) they are based on non-toxic natural minerals (kaolinite bentonite mica talc which are layered nanoclays) 3) at the same time they are capable of purifying water in a physical absorption process as well as in a photodegradation process therefore they combine the advantages of the photochemical and the adsorption method of water purification 4) they self-separate from water in the sedimentation process so that they can be easly removed by filtration or decantation 5) their photochemical components may be chromophores of natural origin (e.g. porphyrin derivatives) Hybrid photocatalysts...