Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evaluation of ultraviolet light/oxidizing agent as a means for the degradation of toxic organic chemicals in aqueous solutions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6712623
Experiments have been performed to demonstrate the synergistic effect of ultraviolet light on the decomposition of toxic organic polynitro and polyhydroxy benzenes in aqueous solutions by hydrogen peroxide. These substances, which are hazardous to biota, can be degraded through photooxidation to carbon dioxide and water (and a small amount of nitric acid in the case of polynitrobenzenes). The degradation of these aromatic compounds is induced by the presence of hydroxyl radicals which are produced by the irradiation of hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet light in water. Compounds such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene and phenol are first hydroxylated to di- and tri-hydroxybenzenes, followed by benzene-ring cleavage to produce lower-molecular-weight carboxylic acids and aldehydes via photooxidation. On further photooxidation, these carboxylic acids and aldehydes will eventually be converted to harmless carbon dioxide and water.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6712623
Report Number(s):
CONF-870377-2; ON: DE87004261
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English