Solar Induced Photo Degradation of Phenol Using Titanium Dioxide As Catalyst

Abstract

The present study investigates the photo degradation of phenol using titanium dioxide as catalyst. The key focus is on the utilization of solar radiation in treating phenolic waste for degradation after discounting for evaporation due to solar heat. Titanium dioxide was observed to be good catalyst in solar radiation induced degradation of phenol. The optimum time for initial adsorption by TiO, was observed to be 30 minutes. The optimum contact time and dosage were found to be 8h and 3 g/L for initial concentrations of 25ppm and 100 ppm with a removal efficiency of 98 % and 70%. The study reveals that the thermal degradation of phenol does not take place under the conditions of experiment and maximum degradation of phenol is due to the photocatalytic process only.