Photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene by iron oxide in solid phase

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2009-03, Vol.162 (2), p.716-723
• Main Authors: Wang, Y., Liu, C.S., Li, F.B., Liu, C.P., Liang, J.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Exact sciences and technology; Ferric Compounds - chemistry; General and physical chemistry; Iron oxide; Kinetics; Oxalic Acid - chemistry; PAH; Photochemistry; Photodegradation; Pollution; Polycyclic Compounds - chemistry; Pyrene; Reactors; Soil and sediments pollution; Solid phase; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Ultraviolet Rays; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.05.086

To better understand the photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in solid phase in natural environment, laboratory experiments were conducted to study the influencing factors, kinetics and intermediate compound of pyrene photodegradation by iron oxides. The results showed that the pyrene photodegradation rate followed the order of α-FeOOH > α-Fe 2O 3 > γ-Fe 2O 3 > γ-FeOOH at the same reaction conditions. Lower dosage of α-FeOOH and higher light intensity increased the photodegradation rate of pyrene. Iron oxides and oxalic acid can set up a photo-Fenton-like system without additional H 2O 2 in solid phase to enhance the photodegradation of pyrene under UV irradiation. All reaction followed the first-order reaction kinetics. The half-life ( t 1/2) of pyrene in the system showed the higher efficiencies of using iron oxide as photocatalyst to degrade pyrene. Intermediate compound pyreno was found during photodegradation reactions by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The photodegradation efficiency for PAHs in this photo-Fenton-like system was also confirmed by using the contaminated soil samples. This work provides some useful information to understand the remediation of PAHs contaminated soils by photochemical techniques under practical condition.