Dry phase titanium dioxide-mediated photocatalysis: Basis for in situ surface destruction of hazardous chemicals
- Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The photocatalytic oxidation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) at varying water contents was investigated to provide fundamental data for incorporating photocatalysts into the surface of pavements to promote the destruction of spilled organic chemicals. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol, spiked onto a thin layer of TiO{sub 2}, was degraded to 20% of its original concentration over 24 h; the release of chloride confirmed the degradation of the parent compound on the surface of the dry TiO{sub 2}. Addition of water ({ge}25% by weight) to the TiO{sub 2} increased the rate of photocatalysis resulting in degradation of TCP to below detectable levels after 20 h. Based on competition studies using the hydroxyl radical scavengers, bicarbonate and 1-octanol, the proposed mechanisms for the dry phase photocatalytic degradation of TCP was oxidation by the valence band hole on the surface of the TiO{sub 2} particle or dehalogenation by superoxide radical anions. Competition studies also confirmed that the more rapid TCP oxidation on wet TiO{sub 2} was primarily the result of generation of hydroxyl radicals through oxidation of water by the valence band hole. The results show that dry phase TiO{sub 2}-mediated photocatalysis may be a potential system for the in situ surface destruction of chemicals that can be oxidized by nonhydroxyl radical mechanisms, such as valence band electron holes and dehalogenation processes.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 544104
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering, Vol. 123, Issue 10; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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