Phenol heterogeneous photocatalysis

Al-Ekabi, H. Serpone, N. Kinetic studies in heterogeneous photocatalysis. I. Photo-catalytic degradation of chlorinated phenols in aerated aqueous solutions over Ti02 supported on a glass matrix, J. Phys. Chem. 1988, 92, 5726. 

The difficulty of quantum yield determination in heterogeneous photocatalysis is related to reflection and scattering of UV/VlS radiation by suspended catalyst grains. Consequently, Serpone and Salinaro (1999) proposed a detailed protocol for the determination of photonic efficiencies (quantum yields) or relative photonic efficiencies, suggesting the photocatalyzed degradation of phenol as a standard reaction (using Ti02 as photocatalyst). 

The primary oxidant responsible for most advanced oxidation processes, i.e. the use of photochemical methods, is the hydroxyl radical, which is formed by the reduction reactions of electrophiles with water or hydroxide ions. The mechanism of the formation of the hydroxyl radical is well discussed in the literature. Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of organic compounds in aqueous solution is achieved by the reactive hydroxyl radical. The photocatalytic process can remove a large number of organic hazardous compounds in water. Phenols, carboxylic acids and herbicides are among a large number of pollutants, which are destroyed in air and in water using photocatalysis. 

---