Photocatalytic decomposition of phenol in the presence of titanium dioxide

Aqueous phenol solution was photodecomposed with a high‐pressure mercury lamp in the presence of titanium dioxide (anatase type) as a photocatalyst at 40 C∘. The rate of phenol decomposition increased with titanium dioxide concentration and decreased with increasing initial concentration of phenol. The apparent quantum yield for phenol decomposition was 0.014 in the primary stage of decomposition for titanium dioxide concentration of 50 mg/l. The initial decomposition rate has the maximum value at pH 3.3. The addition of copper to titanium dioxide increased the rate of phenol decomposition. Hydroquinone and catechol were the main products detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography.