Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol

Abstract

In this study photocatalytic degradation of phenol in the presence of UV irradiated TiO<inf>2</inf> catalyst and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> was investigated. Effects of TiO<inf>2</inf> and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> concentrations and pH on photocatalytic degradation were examined. The rate constants for photocatalytic degradation were evaluated as a function of TiO<inf>2</inf> and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> concentrations and pH of the solution. It was found that photodegradation is an effective method for the removal of phenol and disappearance of phenol obeyed first order kinetics. The amount of CO<inf>2</inf> produced during photocatalytic degradation was corresponding to the complete mineralization. Photodegradation can be an alternative method for the treatment of phenol containing wastewaters.