Laser-based photo-oxidative degradation of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using zinc oxide (ZnO) catalyst

Abstract

Laser-induced photo-catalytic process for the removal of MTBE from water has been investigated in this study. We have studied the laser-based photo-oxidation of MTBE using ZnO semiconductor catalysts at 355 nm laser radiation generated by third harmonic of Nd: YAG laser. The effect of laser irradiation time, laser energy power, catalyst amount and pH parameters were investigated for the efficient removal of MTBE from water using ZnO catalyst. It was found that at pH value of 8, 300 mg of ZnO catalyst, 60 minutes laser irradiation time and 200 mJ of laser energy, delivered best results with maximum degradation of MTBE in water.

Keywords:

• Photo-oxidation of MTBE
• laser
• waste water
• ZnO catalyst

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the facility and financial support provided by the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, through project grant SB090020 for carrying out this work.