A simple route for photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous zinc oxide suspension using solar energy

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 82; no. 8; pp. 700 - 705
• Main Authors: Pardeshi, S.K., Patil, A.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2008; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aqueous chemistry; Aqueous solutions; Chemical oxygen demand; Chemical reactions; Demineralization; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Irradiation; Miscellaneous; Natural energy; Phenol; Phenols; Photocatalysis; Photodegradation; Q1; Solar energy; Sunlight; Wastewater; Zinc; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides; Sunlight; Zinc oxide; Phenol; Demineralization; Photocatalysis; Laboratory study; Light irradiation; Artificial light; Waste water; Chemical reduction; Solar energy; Phenols; pH; Comparative study; Photochemical degradation
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2008.02.007

In a laboratory study, the effectiveness of zinc oxide-mediated solar photocatalytic degradation of phenol was examined. The effect of various parameters like concentration of substrate, amount of photocatalyst, pH and irradiation time on the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation was studied. The demineralization of substrate was checked by Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction method. The photocatalytic degradation of phenol was found to be more effective under solar light in comparison to artificial visible light irradiation. It was observed that photodegradation of phenol is favorable in weakly acidic or neutral solutions. Zinc oxide can be reused for five times as it undergoes photocorrosion only to the negligible extent. This work envisages great potential that sunlight mediated photocatalysis has in the removal of phenol from waste water.