[Photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous solutions by Fe[III]-doped TiO2/UV process]

ABSTRACT

Phenol and phenolic compounds are widely used in industry and daily liFe, and are of high interest due to stability in the environment, dissolution ability in water and health problems. In this regard, phenol removal from water is of high importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of photodegradation process for removal of phenol from aqueous system by use of Fe-doped TiO[2] nanoparticles prepared by sol-gel method. Phenol concentrations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L were prepared and exposed to UV and Fe-doped TiO[2], separately and simultaneously. Also the effect of initial phenol concentration, Fe-doped TiO[2] loading and pH were studied. Various doses of photocatalist investigated for Fe- doped TiO[2] were 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/L. pH was studied at three ranges, acidic [pH=3], neutral [pH=7] and alkaline [pH=11]. Maximum degradation was obtained at acidic pH, 0.5 g/L of Fe-doped TiO[2] for all of phenol concentrations. With increasing initial concentration of phenol, photocatalytic degradation decreased. In comparison with Fe-doped TiO[2]/UV process, efficiency of UV radiation alone was low in phenol degradation [% 64.5 at 100 mg/l of phenol concentration]. Also the amount of phenol adsorbed on the Fe-doped TiO[2] was negligible at dark conditions. Results of this study showed that Fe[III]- doped TiO[2] nanoparticles had an important effect on photocatalytic degradation of high initial phenol concentration when Fe[III]-doped TiO[2]/ UV process applied