Over the past 20 years, various test methods have been developed for testing liquid using Atlas SUNTEST instruments. Preparations inside vials, petri dishes, or small quartz containers are typical applications. If a realistic full-spectrum exposure with controlled temperature is required, SUNTEST CPS+ or XLS+ are preferred over simpler laboratory UV-radiation sources.
Examples are the photostability testing of new liquid pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, solar exposure testing for photo transformation of chemicals in water, new beverage developments, or research on microplastic degradation in sea water.
New SUNTEST Study on Liquids
A Vietnamese research team recently conducted a study using a SUNTEST CPS+ device to test a liquid solution. The research focused on the catalyzed photo-degradation kinetics of a dissolved chemical - carbamazepine (CBZ) - in water, employing a novel ceramic-based TiO2 catalyst. By preparing five different aqueous solutions of CBZ, the team further explored the impact of water quality and pH on the photocatalytic efficiency of their new type TiO2.
SUNTEST Experimental Setup
A customized transparent inert tubing was prepared using the openings below the SUNTEST to position it perfectly horizontal inside the SUNTEST test tray. During the entire operation a peristaltic pump enabled continuous circulation of the test liquid from the container to the SUNTEST chamber and back.
Schematic SUNTEST CPS+ test setup; courtesy by the authors*
SUNTEST settings:
• Optical Daylight filter, to simulate natural outdoor sunlight
• Irradiance of 400 W/m2 (300-800 nm) simulating high intensity
• Ambient test temperature 25 °C
• Test duration 6 h: radiant exposure 8,640 kJ/m2 at 300-800 nm.
Results
From their SUNTEST experiments, Nghia and his team were able to prove that their new type TiO2 does efficiently catalyze and speed up the degradation of CBZ in aqueous solution under solar exposure. Congratulations to the entire team and their work!
It’s great to see how small laboratory solar simulators like SUNTEST can effectively support scientific research. We are curious about what we will see next.
More Information
For more information about the most common applications of the Atlas SUNTEST, watch the recorded webinar.
For further information on xenon weathering and photostability testing, check out our archive of more than 80 blog posts, or have a look into our technical documents library, or review upcoming educational events.
Reference
* Nghia, Trinh Hoang, Vu Toan Khanh, Cam Tu Vu, Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Le Hong Luyen, Nobuaki Negishi, Sylvain Ouillon, and Bui Van Hoi. 2023. "Removal of Carbamazepine in Aqueous Solution by TiO2 Ceramic Photo-Catalyst under Simulated Solar Light: Kinetics, Effects of Environmental Factors and Degradation Pathways" Water 15, no. 8: 1583. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15081583