Photodegradation of m-cresol by Zinc Oxide under Visible-light Irradiation

• Main Authors: Abdollahi, Yadollah, Abdullah, Abdul Halim, Zainal, Zulkarnain, Yusof, Nor Azah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Center of Science and Education 2011
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18776/1/Photodegradation%20of%20m-cresol.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18776/; http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijc/article/view/10581

The photodegradation of m-cresol was carried out under visible light (46% sunlight) by ZnO as photocatalyst. To measure the efficiency of photodegradation, the different variables studied included amount of photocatalyst, concentration of m-cresol and pH. The maximum amount of photocatalyst and concentration of m-cresol was 1.5 g/L and 25 ppm respectively. The photodegradation was favorable in the pH 6-9 range. The detected intermediates were 2-methyl-1,4-benzodiol, 2-methyl-para-benzoquinone, 3,5-dihydroxytoluene and 2,5-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde. TOC studies show that 78% of total organic carbon is removed from solution during irradiation time. This study indicates the great potential of ZnO to remove aqueous m-cresol under visible-light irradiation which is part of sunlight.