Laser-based photo-oxidative degradation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst

Mohammad N Siddiqui; Mohammed A Gondal

doi:10.1080/10934529.2011.590734

Laser-based photo-oxidative degradation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2011;46(10):1154-9. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2011.590734.

Authors

Mohammad N Siddiqui¹, Mohammed A Gondal

Affiliation

¹ Chemistry Department, Laser Research Group and Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. mnahid@kfupm.edu.sa

PMID: 21806460
DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2011.590734

Abstract

Laser-induced photo-catalytic process for the removal of MTBE from water has been investigated in this study. We have studied the laser-based photo-oxidation of MTBE using ZnO semiconductor catalysts at 355 nm laser radiation generated by third harmonic of Nd: YAG laser. The effect of laser irradiation time, laser energy power, catalyst amount and pH parameters were investigated for the efficient removal of MTBE from water using ZnO catalyst. It was found that at pH value of 8, 300 mg of ZnO catalyst, 60 minutes laser irradiation time and 200 mJ of laser energy, delivered best results with maximum degradation of MTBE in water.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Catalysis
Methyl Ethers / chemistry*
Oxidation-Reduction
Photochemistry / methods*
Zinc Oxide / chemistry*

Substances

Methyl Ethers
methyl tert-butyl ether
Zinc Oxide