Photocatalytic Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Soil Surfaces Using Fe₂O₃ under UV Light

Abstract:

The photocatalytic degradation of phenanthrene (PHE), pyrene (PYRE) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on soil surfaces in the presence of Fe₂O₃ using ultraviolet (UV) light source was investigated. The effects of various factors, namely Fe₂O₃, soil pH, and humic acid, on the degradation performance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied. The results show that photocatalytic degradation of PAHs follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. Catalyst Fe₂O₃ accelerated the photodegradation of PHE, PYRE and BaP significantly. In acidic or alkaline conditions, the photocatalytic degradation rates of the PAHs were greater than those in neutral conditions. Humic acid significantly enhanced the PAH photocatalytic degradation by sensitizing radicals capable of oxidizing PAHs.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 189-193)
• Pages: 420-423
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.189-193.420
• Online since: February 2011
• Authors: Li Hong Zhang, Nan Jia, Cheng Bin Xu, Xue Mei Li
• Keywords: Fe₂O₃, Photocatalytic, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Soil, Ultraviolet (UV)

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