Degradation of Phenol in Water by Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis

The photocatalytic degradation of phenol in a static-batch photoreactor, using a UV lamp as a light source and TiO 2 as a photocatalyst, was investigated. The effects of various parameters, such as photocatalyst dosage, initial substrate concentration, reaction pH and addition of oxidants, on the phenol degradation rate of TiO 2 photocatalysis were examined. The degradation rates proved to be strongly influenced by these parameters. Adsorption of phenol is a prerequisite for the TiO 2 -assisted photodegradation. In the presence of both UV light illumination and TiO 2 catalyst, phenol was more effectively degraded than with UV alone. Phenol showed higher photocatalytic oxidation efficiency at natural pH. The reaction rate was found to obey pseudo first-order kinetics represented by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. A complete photomineralization of phenol can be easily achieved.