Optimization of photocatalytic oxidation of 2,2',3,3'-tetrachlorobiphenyl

J Hazard Mater. 2004 Jun 18;109(1-3):149-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2004.03.006.

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are wide spread environmental pollutants. This research focused the optimum physico-chemical conditions under which photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) can be used to degrade 2,2',3,3'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (tetra-CB). Among the optimal physico-chemical conditions studied were UV intensity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) concentrations, initial pH, and possible reaction intermediates were also determined. The results indicate that the optimal physico-chemical conditions necessary for the degradation of tetra-CB by PCO were UV intensity at 3.16 mW/cm2, 30 mM of H2O2 and 100 mg/l of TiO2. In contrast to the results of PCO studies on other organic compounds, the optimum pH for PCO degradation of tetra-CB was 5.5. The removal efficiency was also higher under acidic conditions than alkaline conditions. Although degradation intermediates such as 1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)benzene, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were identified at an early stage in the reaction process, they were not completely degraded even after 7h of PCO reaction.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Environmental Pollution / prevention & control*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photochemistry / methods*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Titanium / chemistry
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Solutions
  • titanium dioxide
  • 2,2',3,3'-tetrachlorobiphenyl
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Titanium
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls