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Photocatalytic degradation of 1,10-dichlorodecane in aqueous suspensions of TiO{sub 2}: A reaction of adsorbed chlorinated alkane with surface hydroxyl radicals

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es9907360· OSTI ID:20020679

1,10-Dichlorodecane (D{sub 2}C{sub 10}) is shown to be effectively photodegraded in aqueous suspensions of TiO{sub 2} using a photoreactor equipped with 300 nm lamps. Solutions exposed to UV light intensities of 3.6 x 10{sup {minus}5} Ein L{sup {minus}1} min{sup {minus}1}, established by ferrioxalate actinometry, showed negligible direct photolysis in the absence of TiO{sub 2} and a D{sub 2}C{sub 10} concentration approaching its solubility limit. Kinetics of photodegradation followed a Langmuir-Hinshelwood model suggesting that the reaction occurred on the surface of the photocatalyst. The presence of h{sup +}{sub vb} and OH{sm_bullet} radical scavengers, including methanol and iodide, inhibited the degradation supporting a photooxidation reaction. Electron scavengers (Ag{sup +}, Cu{sup 2+}, and Fe{sup 3+}) had small effects on the degradation rate. The lack of transformation of D{sub 2}C{sub 10} in acetonitrile as solvent indicated that the major oxidants were OH{sm_bullet} radicals. The presence of tetranitromethane, effectively eliminating the formation of free OH{sm_bullet} radicals, did not affect the degradation rates significantly. This result, combined with observed increases in photolysis rates with the degree of adsorption of D{sub 2}C{sub 10} onto the surface of the photocatalyst, confirmed that the reaction involved adsorbed 1,10-dichlorodecane and surface bound OH{sm_bullet} radicals.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Winnipeg, Manitoba (CA)
OSTI ID:
20020679
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 34; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English