Microwave-assisted rapid photocatalytic degradation of malachite green in TiO2 suspensions: mechanism and pathways

J Phys Chem A. 2008 Nov 6;112(44):11172-7. doi: 10.1021/jp804439z. Epub 2008 Oct 9.

Abstract

Microwave-assisted photocatalytic (MPC) degradation of malachite green (MG) in aqueous TiO2 suspensions was investigated. A 20 mg/L sample of MG was rapidly and completely decomposed in 3 min with the corresponding TOC removal efficiency of about 85%. To gain insight into the degradation mechanism, both GC-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS techniques were employed to identify the major intermediates of MG degradation, including N-demethylation intermediates [(p-dimethylaminophenyl)(p-methylaminophenyl)phenylmethylium (DM-PM), (p-methylaminophenyl)(p-methylaminophenyl)phenylmethylium (MM-PM), (p-methylaminophenyl)(p-aminophenyl)phenylmethylium (M-PM)]; a decomposition compound of the conjugated structure (4-dimethylaminobenzophenone (DLBP)); products resulting from the adduct reaction of hydroxyl radical; products of benzene removal; and other open-ring intermediates such as phenol, terephthalic acid, adipic acid, benzoic acid, etc. The possible degradation mechanism of MG included five processes: the N-demethylation process, adduct products of the hydroxyl radical, the breakdown of chromophores such as destruction of the conjugated structure intermediate, removal of benzene, and an open-ring reaction. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time the whole MG photodegradation processes have been reported.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzene Derivatives / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Coloring Agents / metabolism
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Hydroxyl Radical / chemistry
  • Light*
  • Microwaves*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Photochemistry
  • Rosaniline Dyes / chemistry*
  • Rosaniline Dyes / metabolism
  • Rosaniline Dyes / radiation effects*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Time Factors
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Benzene Derivatives
  • Coloring Agents
  • Rosaniline Dyes
  • Water
  • malachite green
  • titanium dioxide
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Titanium