Application of Natural Hematite As Catalyst in Heterogeneous Photo-Fenton Like Process for 2,4-Dichlorophenol Degradation Publisher

Summary: Study shows hematite-based photo-Fenton process degrades 99.88% of 2,4-dichlorophenol in water. #WaterTreatment #Pollution

Taheri E¹ ; Fatehizadeh A¹ ; Khiadani M² ; Ghasemian M³ ; Bedia J⁴
Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry Published:2025

Abstract

This work investigates the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) through the combination of hematite and UV light for the activation of sodium percarbonate (SPC) in a heterogeneous photo-Fenton like (HPF) process. The hematite was fully characterised and the effects of different reaction parameters such as pH, doses of hematite and SPC, 2,4-DCP initial concentration, and the presence of co-existing anions were investigated. Under the optimised conditions (pH = 3.0, [Hematite]0 = 300.0 mg L−1, [SPC]0 = 500.0 mg L−1), the degradation of 2,4-DCP (50.0 mg L−1) was 99.88 ± 0.05 %. Quenching experiments demonstrated the participation of 1O2, O2[rad]−, CO3[rad]−, and [rad]OH radicals in the degradation of 2,4-DCP, with the dominance of [rad]OH radicals (82.39 %). Furthermore, the degradation of 2,4-DCP was effectively retarded by the presence of Cl−, NO3−, CO32−, and PO43− anions in the solution. Overall, the HPF process with hematite can be proposed as an effective and promising approach for the degradation of 2,4-DCP from the waste stream and can be used for the decontamination of other organic compounds due to its stability and feasibility. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.