Photodecomposition of 4-chlorophenol by reactive oxygen species in UV/air system

Abstract

In this article, the photo-degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under UV irradiation was studied with focus on the photodecomposition of 4-CP by reactive oxygen species (ROS). 4-CP underwent much faster and more complete degradation in UV/air system than in UV/N(2) system. In UV/air system, the addition of t-butanol, a well-known (•)OH scavenger, significantly impeded the degradation of 4-CP. In the presence of t-butanol, the tendencies for the degradation of 4-CP and the formation of intermediates in UV/air system were very similar to those in UV/N(2) system. In UV/air system, 4-CP was degraded by two pathways, direct photolysis by absorbing the photons and the oxidation via •OH. The contribution of direct photolysis and the oxidation via •OH to 4-CP decomposition were 17.2% and 82.8%, respectively based on the apparent kinetic constants. Hydrogen peroxide, which could produce •OH through photolysis, was formed in UV/air system. It was shown that dissolved oxygen, organic matter in excited state and hydrogen ion are all necessary for the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The formation mechanism of H(2)O(2) was proposed based on experimental evidence.