Novel method for a photocatalytic degradation of 4‐nitrophenol in homogeneous aqeuous solution

Abstract

Degradation of 4‐nitrophenol by means of the hydrogen peroxide photolysis and the Photolysis in the presence of the Fenton reagent (FeCI₂/H₂O₂) was investigated. The results were compared with those of the dark Fenton reaction, reported elsewhere . In all the cases, decomposition of the pollutant was observed. The best results were obtained when the solutions of 4‐nitrophenol, containing the Fenton reagent, were irradiated with the polychromic UV light. The developed method can be successfully applied for the degradation of this hazardous pollutant which is very difficult to decompose by other means.